Tips and Tricks of Helping Your Child Overcome Their Fear of the Dentist
For young children and even older children, it is a normal feeling to be apprehensive of new experiences, especially when visiting a dentist. It can be overwhelming and intimidating for a stranger to put scary-looking equipment into their mouth. However, this doesn’t mean that there is nothing you can’t do about it. This is why facing the issue head-on as early as possible is the best way to prevent complications down the road.
In this article, we will provide helpful tips and tricks to guide your child through their fear of the dentist.
Go to a Pediatric Dentist
A pediatric dentist specializes in children’s dental care, bringing with them two to three years of specialty training following dental school, where they focus on treating children and adolescents. These dentists have a more unique understanding of children’s dental needs.
Begin Dentist Visits Early and Regularly
Bringing your child to the dentist beginning at a young age is crucial, as it will help them become familiar with the dentist and the office. Going to the dentist’s office should be viewed as something everyone does regularly. The most effective way to deal with a child’s fear is through exposure. Baby and me appointments are typically offered for children under 2 years of age, where knee-to-knee examinations are performed to check your child’s teeth for proper eruption and decay that may be taking place. Proper oral care, habits, and diet are all discussed often at this appointment.
Watch Videos and Read Books
Reading a dentist-based book with your child is a wonderful way to prepare them for their visit to their dentist. A few favorite books include the following:
- The Berenstain Bears Visit the Dentist, By Stan Berenstain and Jan Berenstain
- Show Me Your Smile!: A Visit to the Dentist, By Christine Ricci and Robert Roper
- What to Expect When You Go to the Dentist, By Heidi Murkoff
Watching videos is another great way to ease your child’s fear of going to the dentist.
Tap Into Your Child’s Imagination
Pretend play is a wonderful method to get your kids used to the dentist. You can use stuffed animals and take turns pretending to be a dentist. Let your child role-play as the dentist and encourage them to brush the teeth of the stuffed animal or doll. You can even play at being the patient and let them brush your teeth. This will help children understand what to expect at the dentist in a playful, fun way.
Reward Your Child
Rewarding children after they complete an anxiety-inducing task is helpful, as rewarding your child with a small toy or an activity they enjoy will build positive reinforcement. Offering a reward will help your child associate the idea of visiting the dentist with a positive experience, making future visits less stressful.
Bottom Line
Some people can easily get over their anxiety without difficulty, but you should not assume your child is capable of doing so. There are multiple reasons why your child might be having anxiety, so dealing with this as early as possible by utilizing these tips can ensure your child understands the importance of oral hygiene and scheduled visits to the dentist. If you have questions about how you can make your child more comfortable during a routine dentist visit, reach out to your local Montana pediatric dentist team. Trust the professionals at Lolo Dentistry, the expert children’s dentist in the Western Montana area, to help you keep your child’s teeth healthy. There are three dental offices to serve you in Lolo, Frenchtown, and Superior for Mineral County, Montana. Call us at 406-284-8669 for more information on procedures, dentistry, reviews, and more.