It is common for kids to have some anxiety before going to the dentist for the first time. After all, the dentist’s office is a strange place with strange people, strange sounds, and strange instruments!
Kids being afraid of the dentist is perfectly normal and natural, and it probably means you are training your child well to avoid jumping into the unknown headfirst.
However, just because your child’s fear of the dentist is common does not imply that there is nothing you can do to help them feel more at ease. You may assist your child in overcoming their fear of the dentist in several ways!
Here are some strategies to lessen your child’s fear of the dentist by child dentist Thornton:
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Describe to your child the significance of routine dental appointments to everyone.
It will be much more difficult to convince your youngster to go to the dentist if they do not comprehend why they need to. Consider displaying images of people with stunning, wholesome smiles that are the product of routine upkeep to your youngster.
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Use uplifting language to describe how a dentist examines and cleans teeth.
Your youngster is likelier to see dental checkups as favorable if you paint a pleasant picture of them. Consider presenting the procedure as a straightforward check-up, in which their dentist “counts” each tooth and “cleans the sugar” from each tooth.
The perception that going to the dentist is enjoyable rather than dreaded may be created by using language that portrays dental appointments as more of an experience than a chore.
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After the child’s initial dental appointments, treat them.
Rewarding your child for a job well done is one of the best methods to help them overcome their fear of the dentist. Inform your youngster that a treat will await them following the dentist’s office! The incentive may be a new toy, more time on the playground, an additional episode of their favorite program, or going to the movies on the weekend.
Whatever motivates your child, consider awarding them with it after their dental appointment to help them develop a positive relationship with the dentist.
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Act out a trip to the dentist at home!
Staging a fictitious dental appointment in your bathroom may help your youngster feel less anxious about going to the dentist. Use your imagination to “clean” and “examine” your child’s teeth with their toothbrush or the tip of a floss stick, so they are more accustomed to the inspection and cleaning procedure.
