What to Do If Your Child Fears Dental Visits
If your child fears going to the dentist, know we can help. It’s a normal reaction for a child to be frightened during their first visit. Many adults still feel uneasy about visiting the dentist! Smiling Kids Pediatric Dentistry has plenty of tips and tricks to help make your child’s experience more comfortable for them if they’re scared of the dentist.
What To Do If Your Child Fears Their Dental Visits
Children fearing their dental visits is a common occurrence. They’re still growing and learning about how the world works, and at a young age, they’re still trying to understand everything happening around them. Their fear may result from a story they heard or may even have seen an unpleasant dental experience during their first formative years. As parents, it’s essential to try and understand their fears and develop a plan to safely and calmly help them through their dental visits.
Visit a Fun and Compassionate Pediatric Dentist
The best way to avoid and treat your child’s fears is by giving them a dental visit that’s prepared and knowledgeable about children’s care. Pediatric dentists work to guide children through their development and can effectively communicate with children during moments of anxiety or frustration. For instance, our dentists at Smiling Kids Pediatric Dentistry use techniques such as demonstrations, distractions, words of encouragement, and compliments to help boost their confidence during treatment and help create a more positive experience.
Make Sure They See a Dentist At A Young Age
According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, children are recommended to have a first dental checkup when they get their first tooth or no later than their first birthday. In some cases, newborns and infants may benefit from seeing a pediatric dentist earlier as their baby teeth form underneath the gums and can be susceptible to cavities. Most importantly, having them see a dentist early on can help prevent the onset of dental anxiety years ahead, giving them expectations, routine, and better understanding as they age.
Help Educate Them About Their Oral Health
Encouraging your child to learn about their teeth, how they work, and what dentists do for a living can greatly help ease their fears, as it can help remove scary scenarios from their minds and improve their experiences in the future. It’s also essential to teach them how to care for their teeth, as it can help prepare them and keep them healthy for life.
Provide Positive Reinforcement For Their Visits
Most of all, encouraging them through positive reinforcement is the best method for removing any fears your child may have about the dentist. Speak to them calmly, and affectionately and soothe their fears by helping them through their checkup by being a supportive, loving parent.
Make Dental Care a Fun Experience By Visiting Smiling Kids Pediatric Dentistry
By working with your pediatric dentist, your child can have a fun, positive experience with dental care. Our Smiling Kids Pediatric Dentistry team focuses on providing all children throughout the Noblesville area with compassionate service and strives to keep children’s smiles healthy for years to come. To learn more, schedule their first appointment with us today!
