meaning - If/when in this example?


I am struggling with understanding when I can use if/when interchangeably. The situation is like this, I meet my friend outside who is heading to the dentist. I say (in that situation, knowing he is about to see the dentist in a while):



If you are going to the dentist, you should brush your teeth.



But I can say that in general:



Children, if you are going to the dentist, you should brush your teeth.



Should it not be better/needed to use 'when' in any of these sentences? I still feel like 'if' means 'maybe it is going to happen' while 'when' 'it is going to happen at some point'.




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