Going to the dentist for the first time is something that almost every child dreads. From a child’s point of view, the idea can seem strange, unappealing, and downright frightening. Who wants to sit in a chair for a million years while someone pokes at your mouth?

1. Tips for Taking Your
Child to the Dentist for
the First Time
By Smile Center Staff Writer

2. Tips for Taking Your Child to the
Dentist for the First Time
Going to the dentist for the first time is
something that almost every child dreads. From
a child’s point of view, the idea can seem
strange, unappealing, and downright frightening.
Who wants to sit in a chair for a million years
while someone pokes at your mouth?

3. Tips for Taking Your Child to the
Dentist for the First Time
Here are some ideas for helping your child feel at ease with the
world of dental hygiene:
1. Sing songs and play fun games while brushing teeth at home.
This helps children connect the feeling of enjoyment with oral
hygiene.
2. Be a good example by getting your own teeth checked. Go to
the dentist and let your child observe how easy it can be.
3. Take your child to a dental facility that accommodates and has
experience working with children. Sit with your child during the
first checkup to make him or her feel comforted.
4. Give your child rewards. While it is not a good idea to bribe
your child into going to the dentist, it is always great to offer
rewards for good behavior.

4. About The Smile Center
The Smile Center, a family dental clinic located
in San Antonio, Texas, is dedicated to helping
children feel more comfortable about going to
the dentist. To this end, the clinic offers kid-
friendly “Fraidy Cat Tours” of the facility that
are designed to introduce children to dental
visits.