What You Should Expect at Your Child’s First Dental Appointment by Dr. Greg Grillo

Going to the dentist can be an overwhelming experience, especially for patients with autism.
According to Dr Greg Grillo https://www.emergencydentistsusa.com/autism-and-dental-care/, there are bright lights, loud noises, and strange tastes and smells that can cause a sensory overload. This is what makes going to the dentist more difficult. Luckily, knowing what to expect for their dental appointment can help lessen some anxious feelings that your child may have. I have been practising family dentistry for 17 years and know how important it is for your child to have a positive experience at the dentist's office. That’s why I have come up with a list of what you can expect when taking your child to the dentist, and how to prepare to make it a positive experience.

1. New People

One thing you can expect by visiting the dentist is meeting new people. You will quickly be getting to know the office and staff members at your dental clinic. You and your child have an amazing opportunity to establish a positive relationship with the dental staff, and since they will be working closely with your child, having this relationship is important. If your child is feeling especially nervous towards visiting the dentist, try setting up a meeting ahead of time for them to visit the dental office. This will give them the chance to meet the office and the staff before any work is done. They can also see what the office looks like which will make it a more familiar environment for when your child comes back for their appointment.

2. Nerves

Your child may be feeling anxious about visiting the dentist, especially if it’s their first time. This is expected, so don’t worry. There are thankfully many ways to work on overcoming these nerves that your child may be feeling. A couple of things that you can do to work on these anxieties are role-playing dental visits at home and telling stories or watching videos about dental checkups https://www.verywellhealth.com/dentist-tips-for-autistic-child-260373 there are many ways to work through the nervousness surrounded by going to the dentist. Work together with your child to find out which methods work for you as you prepare for their dental visit.

3. Future Visits

After your child’s initial dental visit, you can expect to prepare for future visits. It’s recommended that your child visits a dentist once every six months. Your child’s first visit is going to be the most difficult, but as you start to visit the dentist more often and figure out what works for you and your child, the more comfortable they will become. One thing that will help make future visits run more smoothly is if your child can work with the same staff each time. As mentioned before, establishing that relationship with office and staff members will be beneficial in the long run. Your child will be more willing to visit the dentist if they can be around people that they are familiar with. Knowing what to expect when you bring your child to the dentist is the first step in overcoming

any nerves or anxieties your child may be feeling. Always keep conversations around the dentist positive and encouraging. Remember that proper dental care is essential to your child’s health and well-being so embrace the learning experience as you help your child become comfortable at the dentist.