We’re here to prepare your child for the dentist–and other things.
First visit by their first birthday
Before your son or daughter is walking or talking, the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and American Academy of Pediatrics recommend that you’ve brought him or her to see us.
Why so young? Preschool-aged children are developing cavities at an alarming rate. One in four children in the U.S. has a cavity by age four; and many of those as early as age two.
While we won’t perform a cleaning or x-rays, we will talk about:
- — Proper care for your infant or toddler’s mouth
- — Fluoride
- — Good—and bad—oral health habits, including finger and thumb sucking, pacifiers and bottles
- — Tips for preventing accidents that can damage his or her face and teeth
- — Teething and milestones of development
- — The link between diet and oral health
Combine her first visit with your next visit—let us know when you book your appointment that you’d like us to do an initial infant exam.
Chances are, your kiddo isn’t going to remember this infant visit. The first visit for them will be around two or three, and as you know, for a child anything new or unknown can cause anxiety. Even for adults, new situations cause a spike in blood pressure and increased heart rate.
When it comes time for your son or daughter’s first trip to the office, we’re guessing he or she feels a bit unsure—and apprehensive—about the experience.
We’ve put together a list of our favorite tips for easing your child’s anxiety, so that he feels comfortable and relaxed.
K.I.S.S. (Keep it simple silly)
Don’t over-prepare your child for her first visit to the office. The more you try to explain, the more questions she’ll have, the more you’ll over-explain, and the cycle continues. Keep your attitude light and upbeat. Don’t promise her “everything will be okay,” because if she does need treatment, you’ve lost her trust.
Watch your mouth
Words like shot, hurt and pain are triggers. Even cavity (what is that?!?) can be scary. We’re trained to talk to kids–especially about dental things. Let us tell them what we’re doing. Chances are we’re just checking for sugar bugs.
Play dentist
No drills. No suction. No large x-ray machines. Just a toothbrush and a sense of imagination. Let him brush his own teeth, the teeth of his favorite stuffed animal or your teeth. Then hold up a mirror and count his teeth. Avoid making drilling or other noises or referencing the other instruments.
Warning: Fussing may occur
We’ve dealt with wiggly or fussy children once or twice (sarcasm much?). Let us guide you. Your child may need to hold your hand or sit on your lap. On the other hand, they may be more relaxed if they can’t see you. Let us work with you and your child to find a situation that is comfortable and safe.
Bribery will backfire
If you want to buy your baby boy something special every time he goes to the dentist for the rest of his life, be our guest. But, promising a present for good behavior tends to put children on high alert. He’ll wonder what’s going to happen at the dentist that’s so bad he’s going to fuss or cry.
Book it
Curious George, Little Critter, Dora, the Berenstain Bears, your child’s favorite fictional pals have experienced their first dentist visit and passed with flying colors. These are a few of our favorites, available at the Clarence Dillon Public Library–or your preferred library–favorite local bookstore or online.
Curious George Visits the Dentist
Curious George bites into a shiny apple made of wax and his tooth begins to hurt. When George shows his wiggly tooth to the man with the yellow hat, he takes George to the dentist. It’s his first time, and George is nervous, but he overcomes his fear and learns about better dental hygiene—with a little good-natured mayhem on the side!
With art in the style of H. A. Rey, this engaging story will show young readers that there is nothing scary about wobbly teeth and that a visit to the dentist can actually be fun! Includes activites and information about healthy teeth, plus a sheet of stickers to celebrate good brushing habits or a successful dentist visit.
Little Critter: Just Going to the Dentist
Mercer Mayer’s very popular Little Critter is on his way to the dentist. It’s a thorough check-up, complete with dental x-rays. When Dr. Ghum insists on filling a cavity, Little Critter goes through it bravely. The visit is painless to the reader because of Little Critter’s funny, honest way of look at things — including the world of dentistry.
The Berenstain Bears Visit The Dentist
Sister Bear watches Dr. Bearson fill Brother Bear’s small cavity. Then it’s her turn in the chair to have a dangling baby tooth removed. An entertaining story for preschoolers of a cheerful and informative visit to a dentist.
Maisy, Charley, and the Wobbly Tooth: A Maisy First Experience Book
Maisy’s friend Charley has a wobbly tooth! He’s going to the dentist for the first time, and he’s a little nervous. Luckily, Maisy, Tallulah, Eddie, and Cyril are happy to accompany their toothy friend to the dentist’s office, where they make some fun discoveries: a twirly chair that goes up and down, a special cup to spit in, and a proper tooth-brushing demonstration. Charley gets an x-ray, a smiley button, and a book to take home, but what will happen with his wobbly tooth?
Peppa Pig: Dentist Trip
Peppa and George are going to the dentist today. It’s George’s first visit, so he’s a little nervous–but Peppa shows him that a trip to the dentist can be lots of fun!
Show Me Your Smile! A Visit to the Dentist (Dora the Explorer)
It’s time for Dora the Explorer’s checkup at the dentist. Dora explores the dentist’s office, gets her teeth cleaned, and more! She even gets a special treat for being such a good patient!
Elmo Visits the Dentist (Sesame Street Series)
The Big Bad Wolf has a toothache, but is nervous about going to the dentist! His good friend, Elmo, decides to go with him. With the help of Miss Stella, Elmo shows Big Bad there is nothing to be afraid of! This READ ALONG! edition contains audio narration.
In this NOOK Kids Read to Me book, children can choose to hear the story read aloud, tap to enlarge text and pinch & stretch to zoom in on pictures.
Pony Brushes His Teeth
Pony learns how to brush his teeth by watching Dad.
Dentist: First Time
What will happen? Will it hurt? Will you stay with me? Reading Dentist with your child is the perfect opportunity to talk about these questions, and many more! Young children’s lives are full of new experiences and these books help make them less scary. The simple conversational text and lively illustrations are carefully designed to encourage further dialogue between reader and child. Use these books as a starting point to talk to your child and help them to understand and prepare for these events, and to share any worries they may have.
Brush Your Teeth Please : A Pop-Up Book
What child can resist imitating a chimp brushing its teeth back and forth? Or a shark that flosses every day? Youngsters will have lots of fun learning about proper dental hygiene in this delightful pop-up book.
What child can resist imitating a chimp brushing its teeth back and forth? Or a shark that flosses every day? Youngsters will have lots of fun learning about proper dental hygiene in this delightful pop-up book.
Sugarbug Doug: All about Cavities, Plaque, and Teeth
Follow sugarbugs as they try to destroy your teeth and ruin your breath. Learn how to stop them so that you can keep your teeth healthy for your whole life.
Sugarbug Doug is a children’s book written and illustrated by a dentist to help children learn what causes dental disease. When a child learns and applies the principles in this book, trips to the dentist will be less painful, less frequent, less expensive and more fun for the rest of their life.
Dr Suess: The Tooth Book
A classic work by Dr. Seuss writing as Theo. LeSieg, with new illustrations by Joe Mathieu, about who has teeth, who doesn’t, and how to keep the ones you have!
My Dentist, My Friend
This reassuring book guides first-time patients step-by-step through a visit to the dentist’s office.
How Many Teeth?
When you were a baby, you didn’t have any teeth at all. Then as you grew, your teeth started to come in. First one, then two – and finally, twenty teeth in all!
But you won’t keep these teeth forever. First one, then two, will wiggle loose. Maybe you’ve lost some of your first teeth already. When the little teeth come out and the big teeth come in, everyone can see – you’re growing up.
Open Wide: Tooth School Inside
From the author/illustrator of The Scrambled States of America, here is a fun-filled introduction to teeth.
“Before the principal’s announcements, will you all please stand and recite our pledge: ‘I pledge allegiance to this mouth and to the dentist who takes care of us. And to the gums on which we stand, strong and healthy, with toothbrushes and toothpaste for all.'”
It’s time for tooth school and Dr. Flossman is excited to meet the incoming class of 32–eight incisors, four canines, eight premolars, and twelve molars, including the four wisdom teeth. There’s just so much to learn–from brushing and flossing to dentin and pulp to every student’s nightmare: tooth decay!
Best read with a toothbrush in hand, this hilarious book is full of interesting facts (for instance, George Washington’s teeth were not made of wood, despite popular belief) and a classroom full of quirky characters. Young readers will laugh their way to a better appreciation for those pearly whites that beckon them to brush. And from there it’s just a short hop to flossing.
This title has Common Core connections.
If their first, second or tenth visit to the dentist is making them nervous, try these tips to make visiting us a positive experience.
Dr. Mike Mavrostomos is a passionate and top-quality comprehensive care dentist located in Bedminster, New Jersey. His continual pursuit of education and state-of-the-art dentistry has led to his being recognized as one of New Jersey’s Top Dentists by the New Jersey Top-Docs committee.