Did you know that about half of the adult population of the world suffers from some degree of dental fear? Also, about five percent suffer from severe dental fear. Studies show that fear of the dentist is a learned behavior, so we can address and alleviate these fears of the dentist early in our children’s lives.
Your child’s first dental visit should occur as soon as his or her first tooth comes in, or no later that the first birthday. The dentists at our children’s dental office are trained to treat patients of all ages, and after a few visits, your child will become familiar with the routine of going to the dentist.
Here are some extra tips for helping your child’s dentist visits go well, so that they have a lifetime of healthy habits in regards to the care of their teeth and gums.
1. Watch your words when you describe a visit to the dentist. Talk with your children about dentists and what they do, and touch on the importance of keeping their teeth clean and cavity-free, and also briefly discuss of the types of things dentists actually do during the appointment.Keep it positive, and you can ease many of their worries. Also, try to avoid “drill,” “scrape” or “pull” in your explanation.
2. Read children’s books about going to the dentist. A simple internet search will give you a listing of many different options to read to your child. Books can really help kids visualize and understand what to expect. And, knowing what to expect goes a long way toward reducing fear and building confidence.
3. Treats for Bravery A reward always goes a long way in putting a smile on a child’s face. Make a deal before the visit: If your little one can stay brave throughout the visit he will receive a treat, like a visit to her favorite restaurant, or a new book. You can even make it a game—for every smile that you see your child make at the dentist, you can reward her with points that she can redeem for something special.
Be sure to talk to your child’s dentist about tips and techniques to make every dental visit positive and successful!