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Working With My Dentist

7 Ways To Make Your Child Less Afraid Of The Dentist

28 December 2015

Siiri Puro

If your child grimaces every time he hears the worse "dentist," you are not alone. Many kids are uneasy about going to the dentist's office and may even try to convince their parents to let them stay home. The good news is that you can still do some things to help your little one feel more comfortable. Here are seven effective ways to make your child less afraid of the dentist:

Talk to Your Child About the Importance of Healthy Teeth

Chances are that your child doesn't fully understand how crucial it is to maintain good oral health. If you explain that taking good care of your teeth will prevent several dental health problems, like cavities and gum disease, your child may be less hesitant about going to the dentist. Tell your child that the dentist is a friendly and trustworthy person who will clean his teeth and help him prevent tooth decay and other oral health problems.

Have a Pretend Visit

If your child has never been to the dentist before, it may be good idea to arrange a pretend visit. If you pretend to be the dentist and your child pretends to be the patient, he will get used to the idea of going to the dental office and feel less nervous. During the pretend visit, use a toothbrush and small mirror to check your child's teeth. Once you are done, let your child pretend to be the dentist.

Go to a Pediatric Dentist

It is a good idea to take your child to a dentist who specializes in treating kids. A pediatric dentist will provide a kid-friendly environment in his office that may make your child feel more comfortable. For example, the dentist may have posters of cartoon characters on the walls or coloring books in the waiting room. A pediatric dentist also knows how to talk to children and sympathize with their needs, according to North Park Dental.

Don't Bribe Your Child

While bribing your child with a special treat for behaving well at the dentist's office may be tempting, you should avoid doing it. If you tell your child that you will give him a candy bar for not screaming or fussing at the dentist's office, he may wonder what's so bad about visiting the dentist. Instead, tell your child how proud you are of him for behaving at the end of the dental visit.

Be Careful With Your Words

If you want your child to feel less nervous about visiting the dentist, you must be careful with the words you use around him. You will definitely want to avoid using words like, "shot" or "pain." If your child has to get a shot in his mouth before having a cavity filled, it is best to let the dentist explain it.

Don't Talk About Your Own Fears

Talking about your own first dental visit with your child may seem like a good idea, but it can backfire. If you were scared about getting a cavity filled, it might your child even more nervous about his dental visit.

Let Your Child Bring His Favorite Toy

Another way you can ease your child's anxiety is to let him bring his favorite toy to the dentist's office. If your child holds on to a toy he plays with all the time, he may feel some comfort and feel less afraid about being at the dentist's office.

Don't get discouraged if your child isn't completely comfortable with the dentist right away. If you stay positive and tell your child how the dentist will keep his teeth healthy, your little one will eventually come around.

For more information, consider going to sites like http://www.childrensdent.com. 

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