Bringing my 3 year old in for first dental visit. What should we expect?

At our office, we try to make it fun for the kids, most of them like to come back. We see a lot of kids at our office, and they usually do great. They may be a little nervous at first, but they usually relax after a few minutes. At our office, we, the hygienists, see the child before the dentist does. First, I always show everything to the child, my mirror, the light, Mr. Slurpee (the suction), and my "water gun." I may let the child play with the water and the suction in a cup if they want. After the child is comfortable, I will count the teeth with my "tooth counter." I'm actually checking for cavities. If I don't see any tartar (which I never have on a 3-year-old), I begin to polish. We have many different flavors of polishing paste and children love to pick out their own flavor. Then floss. We don't take x-rays on three-year-olds. Then the dentist comes in. We check for cavities, and to make sure the primary teeth are all in. It's pretty easy for young children. We never do more than what the child is comfortable with. But she should do great. I hope she gets a Dora toothbrush like we give our child patients. Every office is different, but that should about cover what they would do. And we take pictures of our patients for the No Cavity Club. They are so fun. Good luck.

She will have a physical exam and her shots. At her age they will check her lab work to see that her kidney/liver functions are good as well as her thyroid. These lab tests are optional but can help in case of emergency to give her vet a "bottom line normal" for your cat. I always do them at the check up. Not teribly expensive at all. They should check her teeth as well for any tartar /gingivitis. Clean teeth keep a cat healthy all over her system. Be sure to get a copy of her records and test results to take with to her new vet when you get established I have had 2 live to 20yrs, several to 15-17yrs . Currently a couple of 14yr old red tabbies..

i've been a nanny for the same family for a long time..when i took the youngest girl in to the dentist the first time, they didn't really do anything that day but familiarize her with the procedures and take a general look at her teeth. her dentist is amazing. they had her sit in the chair and draw on the cloth they put around her neck. they showed her all the instruments that they use and explained what the doc does with them. the doc came and looked at her teeth and spent a few minutes getting to know her and then the visit was over.

If it is the first visit, it will only be a check up. Dentists know how to deal with kids. He/she will explain everything to your child and yourself. Your daughter will have a little mirror to check what is happening. The dentist will tell her how to brush her teeth and give her some tips. Plus don't forget the sticker at the end. Don't panic- no need.

i remember both my younger siblings going their first time, and just dont make it seem like it's a big deal to go to the dentist . you dont want her to be afraid of the dentist-. go back there with her and they will just count her teeth, etc., don't worry, they will know it's her first time so they won't really even do much at all. dont worry, it'll be fine!!

Good for you! Take children to the dentist at the age of 2 or 3 for a simple visit. They can turn out to be the best patients I have if they learn to trust.

Dentists want to establish a good rapport with your child, and with you. Just let him/her take control of the situation and enjoy the visit. Please don't hype it up to your child beforehand, or transmit your own fears. Be as relaxed about it as possible, even if you've had difficulties in the past yourself.

The scene that most strikes fear in my heart is the child coming in for their first visit with a toothache, plus a parent demanding unreasonable treatment, plus a gaggle of unhelpful siblings in the rear!

lots of screaming :D

No, but good luck.......... It will probably be alot of crying......