It’s important that children go to dental checkups frequently so that they can have good oral hygiene. Unfortunately, many children are scared during these visits for quite a few different reasons. However, there are some tips and tricks that parents can utilize so that their kids will feel safe when they have to visit the dentist.
Talk to Them About It
Your child’s fears concerning their dental appointment may surprise you. Because of this, you should talk to them to find out what you can do to make them feel safe. It may be something as simple as them wanting to bring a special toy or their favorite blanket with them so that they will feel safe.
Dentists, like those at Smile Solutions LLC, can also be very helpful in making your child feel safe. If it’s your child’s first visit, ask the dentist to show your child some of the tools they will be using and explain what they will be doing in terms your kids can understand. Understanding what’s happening and feeling comfortable with the dentist can go a long way in making your kids feel safe.
Practice at Home
A lot of kids are scared about going in for a dental checkup just because they don’t know what to expect. You can help them prepare for their appointment by practicing with them at home. Use a toothbrush to gently clean their teeth, and examine their mouth. Let them know what you are doing, and tell them that these are some of the same things that they will experience during their checkup.
Get Them Fun Dental Products
You can help your child feel safe about going to a dental checkup and wanting to have good oral hygiene by making taking care of their teeth enjoyable. Get them fun dental-related products that they can use at home. This can include things like brightly-colored flossers or an electric toothbrush with their favorite cartoon character on it. If they see that taking care of their teeth is actually fun, they will think that going in for a dental checkup will be something that they enjoy as well.
Offer Them an Incentive
Many parents find that their children are more likely to do things that they are unsure of if they offer them an incentive. This can include anything from buying them a new book after their appointment to taking them out to lunch. It doesn’t matter what the incentive is as long as it makes your child look forward to going to their dental appointment. Remind them that they need to behave appropriately at the dentist’s office to earn their prize.
If your child is fearful about their upcoming trip to see the dentist, there are plenty of things that you can do to make them feel safe ahead of time. By preparing them properly for it, you can teach your child that their dentist’s office is a place that they can look forward to visiting on a regular basis.
