A trip to the dentist can be scary for adults, let alone children. Fear of the dentist often originates with a poor experience and is usually associated with pain. When you think of it that way children should be the ones with the least apprehension regarding the dentist, especially if it is their first time. The following are five ways every parent can help their child prepare for their visit.
- Choosing The Right Dentist
Choosing a dentist that will provide a positive experience from the very beginning can prevent future fears and anxiety associated with going to the dentist. David Butler Family Dentistry in Sugar Land, Texas is an experienced office that can treat the whole family. Even the smallest kids in your family will feel comfortable with Dr. Butler. Many of his patients call him “coach” if that tells you anything about his personality. You can read more about David Butler Family Dentistry at the following website https://butlerfamilydentist.com.
- Show Pictures
The internet makes it easy to familiarize your child with their specific dental office before ever stepping foot inside the door. Most businesses have a website that offers a gallery for you to perouse, and if not, many third parties will post their own pictures on common search engines. Like referenced above, most children don’t have a reason to be scared of the dentist besides fear of the unknown. Familiarizing your child with the environment before they ever go to the dentist can relieve anxiety around the situation.
- Have a Routine
The first time that children learn about brushing, flossing, and fluoride should not be at their first dentist appointment. If children are used to a regular night and morning oral care routine there should be little surprise when it comes to a dental visit. When we go for a routine exam it is essentially a really thorough cleaning of our teeth. If it’s normal for a child to clean their teeth, it will feel more natural and not out of the ordinary. Having a routine also normalizes vocabulary like toothbrush, plaque, cavity, gums, and other words that a dentist might use. Teaching your child the proper dental vocabulary will help them prepare for their visit.
- Talk Positively
Children listen carefully to what their parents say. They trust the opinions of their parents, and trust you to teach them about things they don’t have personal experiences with. If you talk negatively about your dental visits, they will be terrified to go to the dentist. If you really don’t feel like you have anything positive to say about the dentist, consider showing your child a youtube video of someone else sharing a positive encounter. You could also reach out to a trusted family member because kids respond well to those that they know personally and trust.
- Incentives
You can think of it as bribery or you can think of it as a reward. If there are positive incentives in place for after a child has completed a successful dental visit, the day will have a positive association. Sometimes you cannot eliminate all fear or pain surrounding a procedure, but ice cream usually helps. Cold ice cream can even help with swelling if they have had a procedure done. Children are pretty easy to please. A simple trip to the park or a new toy they’ve had their eye on might just be the incentive your child needs to get through their visit with the least amount of trouble.
