Helping Your Kids Overcome Their Fear of the Dentist

Every parent is concerned about their child’s health. Whether they come down with a cold, a cough, or other common childhood illnesses, you visit the doctor, get some medicine and let it work its magic. It’s not just overall health you need to think about, though. Your kids will also need to maintain their oral health. The dentist can be scary, though, and although you know there’s nothing to fear, your kids might not feel the same. So, how can you help your kids overcome their fear of the dentist? 

Introduce Them Early 

The longer you put something off, the more intimidating it becomes. This can apply to washing the dishes, making that phone call, or filing your taxes. The same applies to bringing your kids to the dentist, as your kids will invent some boogeyman that terrifies them. However, if you expose your children to the dentist as early as possible, they will become much more comfortable when they go. What’s more, a good pediatric dentist will make them feel at ease and reward them with a sticker or a lollipop, which can create positive associations. 

Stay With Them 

Even if your child is familiar with the dentist, they may still want you to stay in the room for moral support. This will apply to kids between ages two and ten, perhaps even older. If your child has any dental problems, you should ask to stay with them and stay calm should they act up or start to panic. Your presence is often enough to keep them happy, and it will make any procedures, including a simple check-up, much easier for the dentist to carry out. 

Show Them the Results

The fear of the unknown could be one reason why your child is scared of the dentist, and if this is the case, it’s up to you to help them understand there is nothing to fear. One way to achieve this is by showing them the results, especially with how much dental care has improved over the years. While so-called train tracks were common when you were growing up, clear braces you can apply at home will show your kids there’s nothing to fear when visiting the dentist or when taking better care of their teeth.

Encourage Excellent Oral Health

The simplest and most effective way to prevent your child from fearing the dentist is to encourage excellent oral health. This includes brushing twice a day, flossing, and rinsing to ensure they clean the entire mouth. Regular check-ups are still necessary, but good oral hygiene will minimize the number of trips they need to make to the dentist. If they take excellent care of their teeth and avoid sugary snacks that can cause cavities, they won’t need to get fillings or even tooth replacements, and they’ll have a positive experience when visiting the dentist. 

Overcome 

Oral health is a crucial part of life. The sooner your kids become comfortable with visiting the dentist, the sooner they will embrace good oral hygiene, which ensures they develop excellent habits to see them through life.