Helping Your Child Be Less Afraid of The Dentist

Taking your child to the dentist for the first time can seem like a daunting task. Not knowing whether they’re going to be scared, throw a tantrum or not, let the dentist anywhere their teeth at all.

You can sometimes feel pretty helpless if your child is kicking up a fuss, and there’s no way to avoid dental appointments either. So how do you make your child be brave at the dentist? There are ways that you can reduce the chances of your little one being afraid of their time in the chair.

The Earlier The Better

There really isn’t an age that’s too early to take your child to the dentist. In fact, you should take them as soon as they begin to get their first baby teeth. 

It’s a common misconception that you can wait until your child has all their teeth until you take them to the dentist. A dentist needs to assess and analyse your child’s smile as soon as teeth start to show through.

When your child’s first teeth begin to erupt, it can be a pretty traumatic time for all involved. By taking them to the dentist, your dentist can assess things like gum health, predict movement and positioning of their new teeth and can check for risks to their oral and overall health.

Not only this, but when they experience a dental or clinical environment at an early age, studies have shown that your child is less likely to grow up to suffer from dental phobia and will probably feel more at ease in the chair as adults.

Prepare Them and Yourself

Reward systems are a huge part of parenting. So, we’re not going to lecture you on how much of a good idea it is – you probably already know.

If you often reward your child with a piece of candy or something sweet when they’ve behaved well or done something good, the dentist needn’t be any different. Your dentist will always recommend giving them something with less sugar like dried fruit as a reward, but as long as the sugar levels aren’t excessive, go right ahead.

Letting them know before the appointment that they’re going to be rewarded afterwards can make them more likely to sit still in the chair. They might be reluctant to receive treatment or be intimidated by the equipment, but the exposure to these things is always for the best – especially when the result is a tasty treat.

Find The Right Dentist

Getting the right dentist for your child is vital when introducing them to the world for dental visits. Just because you’ve been with the same dentist for years, that doesn’t always mean they’re amazing with children.

Ensure your dentist is equipped with the tools they need to handle having little patients in their chairs. Things like distraction techniques to simply having a mild manner, your dentist’s attitude is the most important element to your child’s faith in dentistry. 

If you’re looking for a dentist who can make your child feel welcomed and relaxed., look no further than Woodborough House Dental Practice. Here, our team are dedicated to making your little ones feel at home during their appointments, so call us today to give them the best start in life.