Let’s face it, taking your kids to the dentist can be a daunting experience, not only for them, but for you as the parent. Ultimately our dentists are here to make your child’s experience as stress free and fun as it can be!
There are several ways in which you can help your kids overcome their fears of the dentist.
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Emphasize to your kids the importance of healthy teeth
For parents, keeping their kids healthy is on top of the priority list. The health of teeth and gums comes largely down to brushing, flossing and taking all the right preventative measures. But what is also important is regular check-ups and professional cleans. Kids understanding the importance of this goes a long way to ensuring a positive start. The tooth fairy doesn’t usually like tooth decay anyway!
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Read some fun children’s books about the dentist
Books and stories play a vital role in the growth and development of children. The books they read and the characters they get to know can become like friends. Portraying the dentist as a friend can work wonders!
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Make note of the super cool instruments the dentist uses
Kids love gadgets! Taking advantage of the various instruments that the dentist uses in their treatment can really play into your hands. Point out things like the suction tool or the ‘vacuum cleaner’ as our dentists like to call it – the kids will love it!
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Start young
Starting young can save you a big headache in future years. Rather than waiting until your child is 3-4 years old, try to book an appointment not long after the first tooth is visible, this way your child will be able to familiarise themselves with regular check-ups. Also, it can be a good idea to bring a child along to the dentist when a parent is being seen, just so they become familiar with the environment.
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Role play with a pretend dental appointment
A pretend dental appointment is a great way to ward off any fears of the dentist. Using a toothbrush, count your little one’s teeth and maybe even wear some sunglasses! You can also hold up a mirror and show your child how the dentist might look at and check teeth. You might also reverse the role. The key is getting familiar with the routine so that kids of all ages can be more comfortable for the real deal.
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Be careful with your choice of words
Using words like hurt, needle, pain or jab are going to scare the kids a little! Instead of using big words, make it a game – ‘The dentist is looking for some money that the tooth fairy left behind!’.
The team of dentists at Dental One are always on hand to provide the upmost care to your child. Our team aim to make your child’s visit fun by easing them into their initial appointment.
For more information on putting your child’s fear at ease or to book an appointment contact Dental One 1300 0 66 427 (1300 0 NO GAP).
