I work as a clerical assistant in a pediatric dental office, and I am commonly surprised by the number of children who are scared of the dentist. Many kids think that cleanings will be painful, and they believe they will be scolded for eating sugary foods. Children are also extremely frightful of the noises made by the water spraying tools and the suction devices. As adults, we know that dental cleanings are easy and free of pain. We need to impart this knowledge to our children so they know not to fear the dentist. I have provided blogs that will help you speak with your child about dental care. Good communication, trips to your own dentist, and online videos can assist you. So will good brushing techniques that will make your child proud to see the dentist. Enjoy my articles so you can help your child build oral care confidence.
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Teaching Your Children About the Dentist
How To Handle Your Child's First Dental Appointment
Alfred Kelley
It seems that there are two types of people today: there are those who enjoy a visit to the dentist, or at the very least have no fear of it, and those who dread the dentist. In order to ensure that your child does not fear dental visits, there are things that you can do early on.
- The first thing you can do is to take your child to the dentist at a very young age. The younger you take your child to the dentist, the easier it will be for them to accept new things, and the easier it will be for them to address any existing dental problems. Meeting with the dentist early on will introduce your child to healthier dental habits long before serious issues come around. When your child reaches one or two years of age, it is best to take them to the dentist for the first time.
- Try not to spend too much time discussing the visit before it happens. When parents make a big deal out of things, children will likewise make a big deal out of things. If you panic about an upcoming appointment, your child will sense that and they will start to apply their own stress to the situation. They may not know why, but they will nonetheless do it. If you spend too much time discussing the dental visit before it happens, the child will start to apply your stress to the situation without knowing why. Instead, be matter-of-fact and discuss the appointment in a serious yet humorous way.
- Avoid any negative words associated with the discussion of the dental appointment. Try to avoid words like ouch, hurt, pain, or ache. Do not associate the possibility of bad things with the appointment or your child will feel anxious. Many pediatric dentists will ensure that pain is limited.
- Play dentist. Children learn through play. They learn how to relate to people, how to clean, how to be a mom or dad, and they can learn how to visit the dentist by playing.
- Do not bribe your child. Avoid bribing them because it will make your child to feel that something bad is about to happen. If you tell them that they will get a treat if they don't cry, they will suddenly realize that whatever is about to happen could in fact cause them to cry but they won't know why. Just inform your child of the upcoming dental appointment and if they have any questions answer them briefly and honestly.
For more information, contact Access Dental or a similar location.
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