Tips to Help Make Dental Visits Less Scary For Young Children
Many children are nervous about their dental checkups. Yet these visits are necessary as they are a life-long oral health routine. So it’s critical to help your child overcome their fears.
These tips will help:
Start the Dental Visits Earlier
If you start the dental visits earlier, the more likely the child will overcome their fears. Children should make their first dental visit before they celebrate their first birthday. This will also help the child learn good home dental care habits from an early age.
Search for a ‘Child Friendly’ Dentist
We have toys and iPads for children and we allow enough time to avoid rushing.
Read the Child a Book
Numerous books have been written to help children overcome their fears and anxiety of seeing a dentist. The books have stories and colorful pictures making them enjoyable and effective at addressing their fears.
Lead by Example
As a parent, you must be an example to your children by regularly honoring your dental appointments. The child will have an easy time accepting that a dental visit is part of life. Your child will appreciate that the visit is necessary for a beautiful smile.
Role Play
Children love to play at pretending and pretending to visit the dentist can make a great game and serve to calm the child’s nerves.
Use a dining chair and a torch and explain what the dentist will be looking for so your child will be more informed.
Offer Reward
Good behavior at the dentist’s office can be rewarded to make the child more cooperative. Make it a day of fun that is rewarded with a new toy. Remember that sugary treats should not be offered as reward to avoid dental problems.
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Dr Ashley Davenport BDS MFGDP(UK)
I qualified as a dentist in 1995 and can honestly say that I have been doing a job that I love for the past 20 plus years. Most people who know me well know that dentistry is a passion for me and that if I won the lottery I would still want to have some dentistry in my life. I get huge satisfaction from treating patients and making a difference to ...
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Dr Catherine Myatt BDS MFGDP(UK)
Cath joined the practice as a dentist in 2002. She and Ashley met on their postgraduate Vocational Training course in Birmingham when they ended up working at the same practice in West Bromwich. When Ashley was looking for an associate at Balsall Common Dental Practice, Cath came to take the role and she has been here ever since. In 2017 Cath...
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