Tips For Taking Fearful Children To The Dentist

Tips For Taking Fearful Children To The Dentist

Being scared of the dentist is quite a common issue for young children. The concept of tools, white collared coats, and a stranger performing a checkup can make children uncomfortable, which is pretty understandable. However, their fear should result in them not attending routine checkups as it is important to care for your child’s teeth so that they can maintain good oral health. If your child is fearful of the dentist, here are some tips to help them. 

Image by Michal Jarmoluk from Pixabay 

Let the dentist know that they are scared

Letting the dentist know about your child’s fears will allow them to be extra friendly and welcoming when their appointment comes up. They can greet them with a treat, a smile, and a calming room. This can make the child feel relaxed and comfortable during their appointment. A surgery like Madison Ave Dental will help children as young as one feel comfortable and welcomed during their visit so that they realize there is nothing to fear.

Let them meet the dentist before the appointment

If your child is new to the practice and fears attending their first appointment, you could arrange a pre-appointment meeting so that your child can become familiar with the dentist. From there, they can feel more relaxed about the appointment and not feel that they are being greeted and treated by a complete stranger.

Use positive language

Using language that can scare your child can only heighten their nerves. Thus, watching your language and ensuring to use positive reinforcement will help them feel relaxed and comfortable with the concept of going to the dentist. Using words such as “fun”, “exciting”, “treat”, and more will reduce the negative connotations that they have of the dentist.

Show them the way 

Your child will most likely look up to you and use your attitude to grow as a person. Therefore, showing them that there is nothing to be scared of can help them relax and realize that there is no point in being worried.

Offer a reward

If your child is being really stubborn then you might be able to encourage them to go to the dentist if you offer them a reward. However, you need to be careful with this as you may realize that they will only go to the dentist if they get a reward. Offering them something small and simple to encourage is enough and gradually reduce the treat so that they do not get used to the idea of being rewarded for attending the dentist. Soon enough they will become comfortable with the routine and not fear the dentist anymore. 

Give them headphones

Some children (and adults too) fear the dentist because of the noises. Lots of drilling can be overwhelming. To help them remain calm and reduce what they can hear, it might help to allow them to wear headphones during the appointment. Music can help relax them as well as mask any drilling noises that they fear. Or, ask the dentist to play background noise to not make the drilling noises so intense. 

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