Dental fear and anxiety are common even in adults, so it is not surprising that many children also suffer from a fear of the dentist. When it comes time to take your child to a dentist in Shawnessy, there are few things that you can do to ease their stress.
Start Early
It is advised that you schedule an appointment at a children’s dentist near you as soon as your child’s first tooth appears. Taking your child to the dentist regularly from a young age will help them become more familiar with the process and with their dentist.
Pediatric dentists are dentists that specialize in treating children. These specialists have extensive knowledge of children’s teeth and as well as behaviour. A pediatric dentist is an excellent choice for children who have special needs, who need extensive dental treatment, or who have a fear of the dentist’s office.
Be a Good Role Model
You can do many things to be a good role model for your child when going to the dentist. One thing you can do is take your child with you when you get your routine dental check-up and cleaning. Let them watch the process and ask questions, be sure to answer them and speak to them about what your dentist is doing. Another way to be a good role model is to practice good oral hygiene routines, such as daily brushing and flossing. Doing this will encourage your child to practice similar habits.
Read Books About the Dentist
Stories are an excellent tool for children to learn about the world around them. When you sit down with your child and read stories about other children going to the dentist, it can help put their minds at ease. Reading stories will help your child understand what to expect from a visit to the dental office and teach them that the dentist is a safe place that helps them stay healthy. Some books you may want to consider reading include The Tooth Book by Dr. Seuss, and Curious George Visits the Dentist by H.A Rey.
Provide Positive Reinforcement
Many children can’t yet understand that going to the dentist can provide long-term rewards. As a parent, you may want to consider utilizing other positive rewards such as stickers or toys. Many children’s dentists in Shawnessy will keep some reward for children in their office, such as temporary tattoos or bouncy balls. You can encourage your child to cooperate with their teeth cleaning by letting them know they will receive something special at the end of their visit. If you don’t want to give them something material, you can also offer to take them to do something fun after their cleaning, such as seeing a movie or going to a toy store. Linking a dental visit with a fun or positive activity will make your child feel much more excited about getting their teeth cleaned.
Role Play
Occasionally, acting out a situation that seems overwhelming can help alleviate a child’s anxiety. You can play “dentist office” with your child to help them prepare for what might happen during their real dental visit.
If you are looking to bring your child into Summit Dental for teeth cleaning with a dentist near you, please consider these tips! Our pediatric dentists will do everything they can to make your child’s experience fun and educational. Please contact our clinic to book a consultation today.