There are ways that you can help to reduce your child’s fear of the dentist. Read on to learn how.
As your child grows, they experience a whole bunch of “firsts.” First steps. First haircut. First words. Some firsts are easier than others, and some may cause you and your child a bit of anxiety – like your child’s first trip to the dentist. But, it doesn’t have to be that way. There are several things you can do to make your child comfortable and at ease when he/she visits the dentist.
1. Schedule your child’s first appointment while they’re still very young:
The earlier you start your child with regular dental visits, the easier it will be for your child to see that her dentist is a trusted person who is there to help with her teeth.
2. Talk to your child in simple terms about the dentist:
You don’t have to go into details with your child about what a dental visit will be like and you don’t have to make a big deal about it. Explain to them in simple and easy to understand terms that a dentist is a special person who helps with teeth.
3. Stay positive:
Talk about the dentist in positive terms. Avoid discussing negative things (i.e. shots, pain, cavities) so that your child is not fearful of her visit.
4. Play pretend dentist at home:
This may be as simple as laying your child down and showing him the teeth in his mouth. Or, perhaps you have a small dental mirror, and you can count the teeth your child has. By playing pretend, your child will not be anxious when the dentist wants to check his teeth.
When you follow these tips, along with modeling good dental hygiene at home, your child will know that the dentist’s office is full of friendly people who are here to help. Call us today to schedule an appointment so your child can meet our dental team and learn about her dental home. We look forward to seeing your child at our practice!