For adults, dental visits are part of their routine. However, for a child, seeing their pediatric dentist is an unknown and a scary experience. It could be even scarier for them if they had visited the dentist before. Kids often associate dental visits with pain.

But for healthy teeth, they have to visit their dentist. According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD), your child should visit a dentist by age one or within six months immediately after the first tooth grows. To help ease future visits for your kid (and to the dentist!), here are the top five things you can do to make them feel relaxed and more comfortable.

1. Play Dentist

Preparing your child for a dental visit and addressing their fears is as simple as playing a game of pretense. Get a toothbrush and pretend to be a dentist! Tell them what will happen by flossing and counting their teeth, having them sit on the chair. Giving them a glimpse of what might happen will help them feel more comfortable and rid of some fears.

2. Be a Great Role Model

Take your kid with you when you have your dental routine appointment. Your child will watch the entire process and better understand what to expect for their appointment. You can floss and brush with your kid daily. Your kid will follow in your footsteps with a good dental hygiene habit.

3. Use Positive Reinforcement

Give your kid something to look forward to after the visit. If your kid wants to watch a movie, have a playdate with a friend, or visit a new playground, all are good options for your kid after a successful dental visit. This helps keep them busy on something they're looking forward to.

4. Watch Your Words

Be sure to use simple, positive words to answer them whenever they ask questions about the dentist. Avoid warning them about things like loud noises and pain. Instead, tell them how the dentist intends to count and clean their teeth so that they can have a healthy and strong smile.

5. Read Books About Dentists

One of the smartest ways to introduce a pediatric dentist to your kid is reading a book about it before bedtime. Books that are colorful, fun, and full of information put your kid's mind at rest. These books contain information on what happens during a dental visit and what to expect in a light and funny way to show your kid that visiting a dentist isn't a big deal.

Your kid's fear of pediatric appointments doesn't have to be a permanent phobia. Use the above five proven tips to make their visit fun or something they aren't afraid of. Soon, your kid will learn that dental visits aren't a nightmare. They might even start looking forward to their next appointment!