Millions of adults have apprehension about visiting the dentist. This is one of the main reasons why so many people avoid getting to the dentist for regular checkups and cleanings. For children, going to the dentist can be traumatic, especially if they had a bad experience during one of their previous visits.
If you have a nervous child who doesn’t want to go to the dentist, there are some things that you can do to help ease their mind. These soothing techniques may not work for every child, so you may want to try a couple of different things for your son or daughter.
1. Offer them encouragement.
Far too often, children emulate certain behaviors of their parents. If you have a tendency to talk negatively about visiting the dentist, then your child will likely pick this up and be nervous themselves.
Offer them encouragement. Tell them that they are brave, that they can do this, that it won’t be so bad. Just a little encouragement can go a long way.
2. Offer them a reward.
Children like getting rewards. You can promise the child ice cream or some other treat after their dental visit. But they need to earn it. They need to be as calm as possible and just get through the appointment. If they cry, fuss, and kick and scream while you are trying to drag them into the dental office, then they’re not earning a reward.
3. Sit down and listen to them.
A child sometimes just wants his or her mother or father to listen to them. They may be nervous, but that nervousness gets worse when nobody seems to be paying attention to them or listening to what they have to say.
You may discover that by listening, they become calmer about the situation and this will make it easier for them to get through their dental visit.