As a parent or guardian, you know how important it is to make sure your child’s oral health is in top condition. Modeling good behaviors, brushing teeth consistently, and setting up regular children’s dentistry visits is essential. But there’s one thing you might not know how to do: how to turn that semi-annual dental appointment into something your child looks forward to and not something they dread.
At Village Kids Dentistry, we’re here to help! As pediatric dentists,
we understand just how to get kids excited and happy about being in the
dentist’s chair, not nervous and scared. Check out our top five tips below to
help you make the dentist’s office fun for your child.
1.
Make
sure your child knows what to expect.
Like adults, kids can be scared of what they don’t understand. Luckily
for your child, you know what a dentist’s appointment entails - so you can let
them know what to expect in advance. Talk about the appointment and what will
happen when they’re in the dentist’s chair. You can even play dentist at home,
having your child sit in a comfy chair while you look at their teeth. This will
make your child feel more confident and prepared about the upcoming trip to the
dentist’s office.
2.
Give
your child as much control as possible.
Nobody likes feeling like control is taken away from them, and a
dentist’s appointment does involve giving up some control. Compensate for this
by letting your child control as much of the experience as they can. Let them
wear a favorite outfit or even a Halloween costume if it helps them feel
better. Let them pick out what flavor toothpaste to use and what movie or show
to watch; don’t make that choice for them. Little things like this mean the
world to kids.
3.
Make
the drive to the dentist’s office as fun as possible.
On the way to the office, play upbeat music that your child enjoys and
sing along at the top of your lungs. If you can manage it, drive past favorite
landmarks and scenery. Try to avoid scheduling the appointment at a time when
you’re liable to get stuck in traffic or be worried about getting to the office
on time - your child will pick up on your anxiety, and it could throw a monkey
wrench in the whole experience.
4.
Be
prepared with a distraction.
Sometimes, we can all use a distraction in the dentist’s chair. Bring a
favorite blanket or toy along to help your child stay calm and grounded. A trip
to the dentist’s office might even be a good time to introduce a new stuffed
animal to the menagerie, so your child has a new and exciting toy to hold onto
while the dentist works.
5.
Be
positive, practice what you preach, and stay honest.
Your child will take their cues from you. If they hear you talking
about the dentist as something to dread, they’ll start to dread it, too.
Instead, when you talk about the dentist, keep your tone cheerful. Avoid using
scary-sounding words when talking about your or their trips to the dentist,
like “pain” or “shot.” But at the same time, don’t make false promises, like
telling your child there won’t be any pain or discomfort.
Remember, whether you’re looking for a new
pediatric dentist or just have some questions about your child’s care, the team
at Village Kids Dentistry is always happy to help. We offer a wide range of
services, including Children’s Medicaid dentistry, and we love making our
patients smile.
Call us today
to learn more and
schedule an appointment!
