Ask:
-worried- my almost 4 year old is going for her first trip to the dentist tomorrow morning. she has seen a hygenist before (at school) but this is the first time getting her teeth cleaned. how did your kids do? how old were they?
i am nervous for her
Answer:
My oldest does just fine.he does exactly what they say. I think he actually likes going to the dentist
I take my 3 yr old in July, I hope he follows his brothers lead.
Maybe you can tell her what to expect so she isnt too scared.
Answer:
Carson just had his first real appointment (6 1/2 yo) and did great. Parker has weaker teeth, so I had him at 2 dentists last summer when he was 4 1/2 and he was wonderful, too. I agree about practicing with her if you think that she will be scared. We are all less apprehensive when we know what to expect in new situations.
Answer:
You can explain things and let her lie back on a couch while you poke around in her mouth. My dd was 4 when I took her the first time and she did great. Alot of offices don't let the parents go back with the child and I think this is a good idea because most kids do better when a parent isn't right there.
Hope all goes well.
Answer:
Quentin had his earlier this year (shortly after he turned 4). He went with me to my regular trip about a week before his appointment. That way he could see what happened (he even got to squirt some water in my mouth), and they let him pick a prize out of the drawer even though it wasn't actually his appointment. DH went with him for his actual appointment, and said it went well. Our dentist has TVs in the exam room, so Quentin watched Bob the Builder, and he got to choose which kind of toothpaste (cherry) they used, so he was happy!
Answer:
My 5 yr old went with me yesterday.. And her appt is the end of the month.. She was amaized at the flavors of paste.. She is set on cookie dough.. I find if you don't make a big deal about it and stay calm yourself, the kids usually do better.
Answer:
Our dentist told us to take our girls with us on our dental appointment and schedule the child's appointment with in a week or two of our appointment. That way it's still fresh in their minds. My girls both had to go with my husband for his appointments, because I am terrified of the dentist myself! I would rather go through labor again than go to the dentist! I have a VERY aweful experiance at the dentist when I was 20 and my mind goes back to it every time I walk into the dentist office!
Answer:
Originally Posted by Frazzled
My dd was 4 when I took her the first time and she did great. Alot of offices don't let the parents go back with the child and I think this is a good idea because most kids do better when a parent isn't right there.
Really? I don't think I'd feel comfortable letting my kiddo go off without me like that. Am I just being paranoid and over-protective? (The hubster is pretty sure I am.) Kat's only 2, so maybe by the time she's 4 I'll be ok with it. Or not. Gosh, I even ENJOY going to the dentist. I've been using the same office/dentist for the last 13 or 14 years. But I still don't think I'd let Kat go back for an exam without me.
Look at me... I'm writing myself into a frenzy and I still have 2 years before she'll (hopefully) need an exam. It's gotta be the pregnancy hormones.
Answer:
DD just turned 4 and she has gotten her teeth cleaned twice. She has done great both times....not scared at all. I think it also all depends on the dentist. Ours is fabulous with children.....good luck!!