How to Help Children Overcome Their Fear of Dentists

Just the mention of a dental visit strikes fear in the hearts of many children. It’s understandable though, when you look at it from their point of view. Think about it. They’re made to sit in a weird chair, with their mouths open, as some stranger prods their teeth with strange tools. Of course, it’s terrifying!

So, is there a way to help them overcome their fear of dentists? Yes, there is. Read on to find out how you can make children overcome their fear of dentists.

Play Pretend

One of the major reasons that children fear dentists is due to the fear of the unknown. They don’t know what to expect. A dental visit might be a routine, mundane thing for you, but for a child it’s a new and scary scenario. One way to help them get more comfortable is to play pretend. You can be the dentist while your child is the patient and vice versa. Doing this will give them a better idea of what to expect & help bring down their anxiety levels when it’s time to visit the dentist.

Don’t Share Anecdotes

It might be tempting to share your childhood dental experiences with your children, but it’s best not to do so. While you think you’re helping your child by sharing stories of tooth extractions and how brave you were when it happened, you could actually be making the upcoming dental visit a scarier ordeal for the child by oversharing gruesome details.

Start Early & Visit the Dentist Regularly

The earlier you start with your child’s dental visits, the better. Not only will this help you keep up with their dental needs better, it will also help in making dental visits more familiar for them and therefore less scary. Going to the dentist regularly will also ensure that dental issues are spotted right away, helping you opt for preventive treatments rather than corrective treatments.

Take Your Child with You on Your Visit to The Dentist

This tip only works if you have no fear of going to the dentist yourself & are going for a regular check-up, as opposed to getting some treatment done that might look scary to the child. For instance, if you are going to the dentist to have your teeth cleaned, then you can take your child with you. But if your going for a tooth extraction or root canal treatment, it’s a good idea to leave him/her behind. The idea is to help your children see that there’s nothing to be afraid of when going to the dentist. But, if you are nervous & anxious about the dental visit yourself, then don’t take them with you. Children are very perceptive & will pick up on your nervousness, which will only serve to further agitate them.

If your child is scared of going to the dentist, the best thing you can do is talk to them. Explain to them why it’s important to regularly visit the dentist & talk about dental hygiene. And when it’s time to take them to a dentist, be sure to choose a child-friendly dentist. Someone who will be patient and friendly with your child, putting them at ease.

This article is published by www.aligndentistry.com.au