How do you get your toddler to go to the dentist without being traumatized?
By yamiboo
@yamiboo (466)
Philippines
January 18, 2007 1:36pm CST
My 2 year old daughter used to cry everytime we'd go to her pediatrician. It only stopped when I gave birth to my son and she'd see him being checked up by the doctor. I now plan to take my daughter to a dentist since almost all her teeth have cut-through already, however, I fear that she will go back to step 1 in going for doctor/dentist visits and get traumatized again. And if that happens, how would the dentist check up a crying and throwing-a-tantrum toddler?
4 responses
@Mommamea (1215)
• United States
19 Jan 07
My son at the age of 8 had a tramatic dentist visit. We have over the years found a family dentist that specializes in child dentristry. They make it fun when he goes in and he will go in without me as well. Have you spoke to your family dentist about the age your daughter should start going? Try taking her with you on a cleaning visit so they can show her what they do and she can see that it isn't tramatic for you. She will learn that it isn't so bad. Dentists who care will work with your daughter to get her used to it and it wont be so bad.
@marief2rnurse (2704)
• United States
18 Jan 07
Most dentists are trained to deal with small children. They try to make the little child comfortable first before trying anything. I was really relieved because my daughter even loved the whole experience and now wants to keep going back to the dentist.
@srhelmer (7029)
• Beaver Dam, Wisconsin
18 Jan 07
We actually took my 2-year-old to the dentist the other day because she has a bit of decay on one of her teeth already. She was perfectly fine.
@candygurl24 (1880)
• Canada
18 Jan 07
I know that for me, taking my youngest to the dentist the first time was horrifying for both of us. I don't exactly like the dentist either, but I go anyways. Try booking an appointment for yourself ahead of hers, and then let her watch as the dentist checks your teeth and maybe consult with the dentist beforehand so that he/she knows to point out all of the different things to your daughter and maybe for some things he/she can include your daughter. That works for me anyways :)
