Is your child afraid of the dentist? This isn’t that uncommon at all.
In the past, studies have shown that about one in every six kids is scared of the dentist. It can make it difficult for many parents to get their kids to sit still so a dentist can look at their teeth.
Today, we’re going to talk about what you can do to help your child overcome their fear of the dentist. From choosing a dentist that specializes in working on kids’ teeth to reinforcing the fact that your child doesn’t need to be afraid of the dentist, there are so many things you can do to help.
Start by Asking Your Child Why They’re Afraid of the Dentist
First things first: If you have a child who is afraid of the dentist, sit down with them and ask them one question. “Why?”
They might have some very specific reasons for them being scared of the dentist.
You’ll be able to get a better understanding as to why your child is afraid. You’ll also be able to gather some information that you can share with a dentist so that they don’t inadvertently scare your child.
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Talk to Your Child About Your Own Fear of the Dentist
Kids aren’t the only ones who are afraid of the dentist. In the past, studies have suggested that about one-third of American adults suffer from dental anxiety to some degree.
They might be amazed to hear that mom and/or dad is also scared of the dentist.
Tell them some of the things that you do to overcome your own fear of the dentist. It’ll show them that it’s completely normal to be scared of the dentist and that there are steps they can take to fight back against their fears.
Choose the Best Pediatric Dentist in Your Area
Instead, you should try choosing a dentist that specializes in working with kids.
The best pediatric dentist in your area will make sure that they’re gentle while working on your child’s teeth. Visit just4kidsteeth.com to find out about one great pediatric dentist. It’ll help you with finding a dentist that your child will love. orthodontist Franklin TN
Tell a Dentist That Your Child Is Scared of the Dentist
Prior to your child going to see the pediatric dentist that you track down, you should give the dentist a call and fill them in on your child’s condition. You should let them know that your child is afraid of the dentist and that they don’t always do well in a dentist’s chair.
This will, if nothing else, inform a dentist of what might be to come. They’ll know that they need to tread lightly when they call your child back for a cleaning or another dental procedure.
Let Your Child Know About an Appointment With a Dentist in Advance
You don’t want to spring something like a dentist appointment on your child at the last second. If you do, you’re not always going to get a favorable response to it.
Rather than taking this approach, you’ll want to give your child some advance notice with regard to their dentist appointment. It’ll give them time to process it in their heads so that it doesn’t catch them off-guard.
It’ll also give them time to discuss any concerns that they might have with you. You’ll be able to put their troubled mind at ease in the days leading up to their dentist appointment.
Try to Distract Your Child During a Visit With a Dentist
You’ve likely gotten good at distracting your child in all kinds of different situations. You should take advantage of this during a trip to their dentist’s office.
You should do whatever you can to distract your child before and during an appointment with a dentist. The more you’re able to keep your child’s mind on other things, the better they’re going to do for a dentist.
Don’t be afraid to pull some of these things out to stop your child from getting emotional when a dentist walks into the room.
Reward Your Kid for Doing a Great Job at the Dentist
The first time that your child has a really good dentist appointment, you should shower them with praise. You should also give them some kind of reward, like a trip to the movies or an ice cream night.
They’ll start to associate going to the dentist with positivity, and it’ll make them dread doing it a little less than they would otherwise.
You Can Teach Your Child to Not Be Afraid of the Dentist
Most kids are afraid of the dentist at least a little bit. But there are some kids who are really over the top with it.
You should be able to teach your child not to be afraid of the dentist anymore. It’ll make trips to the dentist more pleasant from here on out.
Do you want to get your hands on more useful parenting hacks that will make your life slightly easier? Find them by reading through all of our other informative blog articles.
