Children may find visits to the dentist daunting, as they’re unfamiliar with bright lights and sterile environments, as well as someone placing their hands inside their mouth.
Prepare your child for their trip to the dentist by reading books or watching videos about visiting. Doing this may give them more of an understanding of what lies ahead.
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1. Schedule the Appointment at the Right Time
As soon as possible after your child turns one, schedule their initial visit to our office as early as possible, ideally prior to his or her first birthday. This will give your little one time to get used to being at our clinic, making subsequent visits less cumbersome and stressful. Try scheduling it during nap time, after school hours, or other times when children might be fussy or cranky.
Remember that children are highly perceptive and quickly pick up on nonverbal cues. Strive to remain calm and confident even when feeling uneasy in front of them.
Role-playing the experience with your children or a favorite stuffed animal may also help ease anxiety about going to the dentist, and rewarding them afterwards may give them motivation to perform well and leave with positive memories of their visit.
2. Bring Your Child’s Favorite Toys
Children may find dental visits unsettling, particularly when people poke around inside their mouths with sharp instruments. This environment will likely be completely unfamiliar to them and will look to you for guidance on how best to react in this unfamiliar setting.
Distraction tools like toys and books may help your child remain more relaxed during their dental procedure by helping them focus on something other than what may be an uncomfortable dental process, which in turn helps calm their fears.
Some dentists offer toys and activities to keep children busy while waiting for an appointment, while it is essential that parents encourage and praise their child for good behavior during the visit; this will reduce anxiety.
3. Talk to Your Child About the Appointment
Assuring your children of what to expect at their dental appointment is key. Reassure them there won’t be any shots and that the dentist will simply check their teeth. Scheduling an early appointment time helps ensure children arrive feeling energized, not hungry or exhausted; make it fun by promising something like going to the park afterward or enjoying some treat (but no sugary candy) afterwards!
Children are highly perceptive, so it is crucial that parents project an atmosphere of calmness and positivity when taking their children to visit a dentist. If you exhibit anxiety or show fearfulness about going, your child could pick up on it and become distressed themselves. Read books together or find videos online which cater specifically to their age.
4. Bring Your Child to the Appointment with You
An anxious child can find comfort by having you accompany them to their dental appointment, where you can model appropriate behavior and answer any questions they might have. Be careful though: children are very perceptive and will pick up on any negative vibes you emit from yourself.
Before your appointment, create a visual schedule and social story for your child that details what will occur during their visit, using pictures or drawings as depiction of each step. Role play together by acting out as the dentist for their favorite doll or stuffed animal to give them an understanding of what will take place during their appointment. Also give something fun as a treat at the end of their appointment to keep their spirits up during it all!
5. Bring Your Child to the Appointment with a Friend
Going to the dentist can be stressful and daunting for anyone, but particularly for children. But there are ways you can make their visit less distressful. Here are a few strategies you can try out to help ease their nerves at an appointment with their pediatric dentist.
Children may have a fear of the unknown; by showing pictures and explaining what will take place during their appointment at the dental office, you can help ease their worries.
Read and watch movies featuring characters like Peppa Pig or Dora the Explorer who may help your children feel comfortable about going to the dentist, such as reading about Peppa Pig or Dora the Explorer visiting dentists. Role playing at home by pretending to be the dentist while counting your teeth may also help prepare them for their appointment.