For young kids, going to the dentist may be upsetting and nerve-wracking. In reality, approximately 20% of school-aged children fear going to the dentist. This, unfortunately, may have both long- and short-term consequences for your child’s oral health. Your child will not receive the requisite care to keep his or her teeth safe in the short term. Unless this anxiety is resolved and they are willing to visit the dentist for routine cleanings, your child could be setting themselves up for a lifetime of serious oral health issues.
Since you must take your kids to the dentist, Take these steps to make your children feel more secure and happy during future visits.
Start your child’s dental visits at a young age
The sooner you take your children to the dentist, the more likely they will be at ease in this environment. They also hear about the importance of regular dental appointments, which greatly helps to reduce their fears. Experts suggest that their first birthday or first-hand tooth eruptions take the kid to the dentist. Furthermore, it helps you to take the young children in order to make them easier to undergo daily dental tests for a reassuring introduction.
Use positive language
With children, avoid using the terms (shot), (hurt), or (pain). Allow the staff to incorporate their language to children to help them cope with stressful circumstances. For example, you might tell your child that the dentist is looking for “sugar bugs” to clean off their teeth. Michael J. Hanna, D.M.D., a pediatric dentist in McKee Rocks, Pennsylvania, and a national spokesperson for the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, says, “My favorite thing to possess parents tell their child is that we are getting to check their smile and count their teeth — that’s it, nothing else.” Use optimistic phrases like “clean, solid, healthy teeth” to make the visit seem enjoyable rather than frightening.
Keep it Simple
If it’s your first time visiting the dentist, don’t give away too much information. Being too specific not only generates a slew of questions, but it also causes anxiety in your infant. Make an effort to be as realistic as possible while avoiding false optimism. If you lie to your child that all will be fine, they will lose faith in you and the dentist.
State the importance of visiting the dentist to your children.
Teach your children that going to the dentist is a requirement, not an option, and that the dentist will examine his teeth to ensure that they are strong enough to eat. You might also mention that the dentist keeps cavities at bay and guarantees that his patients have a beautiful smile for years to come.
Remember that it’s completely natural for children to be afraid – some are afraid of being separated from their parents, others are afraid of the unknown, and still others are afraid of being hurt. A dentist who specializes in treating children may be able to calm your child’s worries and anxieties.
Provide positive reinforcement
Give your child something to look forward to during their dental appointment to encourage their good behavior and make them look forward to future visits. Choose a reward that they can enjoy, such as a trip to the zoo, a movie, or a trip to their favorite playground.
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