If your son or daughter is afraid of going to the dentist, it can be difficult to know how to help him her. As a parent, you know how important it is to make sure your child gets good dental care, but you also don’t want him to feel scared and miserable.
Children are always more comfortable when they know their surroundings and precisely what goes on in them. And if the dentist is new and unfamiliar then it’s not surprising they might be a little scared. Taking time to discuss things with your child will go a long way to helping you understand where the fear is coming from. Then you can offer the support, love and reassurance that will help them overcome their fear.
Here are a few things you can do to keep your children from getting anxious about the dentist:
1. Don’t show your anxiety if you’re scared of going to the dentist yourself. They’ll pick up on it and copy your behavior.
2. Take them to the dentist regularly – once every 6 months. Children who only go to the dentist when there’s a problem will quickly start to associate being there with getting bad news about their teeth. Plus, frequent check-ups are the best way to catch problems before they become painful or need further treatment.
3. If there is a genuine fear, talk to your children. Once you know where the fears lie, they can be easier to deal with.
4. You already know that a tired child can be a difficult child. Schedule an appointment for the morning.
5. If the fear is overwhelming, consider visiting a pediatric dentist. These specialists have had extra training to work with children.
6. Give your child advance notice of dental appointments rather than springing it on them at the last minute, and ask about questions or concerns.
7. Plan something fun for your child to do after the appointment is over. Offering something to look forward to can help take their mind off their fear.