4 Ways To Help Your Child Get Over Their Fear Of The Dentist

Dental visits are extremely important for your child’s health. Preventative dentistry provides many benefits when kids’ teeth are developing. From improving their smile to stopping tooth decay to preventing jaw issues. Every child should be seeing their dentist twice a year from the moment they start developing their teeth. That said, it is not uncommon for children to be terrified of the dentist’s office. Similar to visiting a doctor, a dentist can be a frightening experience for children, and many parents struggle with how to ease that fear. Here are a few ways you can improve your child’s dental visits.

Don’t Teach Your Kids To Be Afraid of Dentists

This first tip seems obvious, but many parents do not always realize that the fear of dentists is often taught before it is even experienced. From movies and television shows to other kids on the playground, most kids learn to fear the dentist before they even have a negative experience. Many parents even harbor their own fear of the dentist, and when kids sense that they mimic it. It is important to talk to your kids and explain that the dentist is not a scary place.

Use Positive Reinforcement

Another helpful tactic is to reward your child’s bravery. Many parents do something fun with their kids after a dental appointment and create a tradition around going to the dentist. Rewarding your child for brushing and flossing regularly as well as being brave and not being fussy at the dentist can help them cement at an early age to not be afraid.

Stay With Your Child During The Appointment

If your child is already afraid of the dentist, consider sitting with them during the appointment. The dentist’s office is an unfamiliar place with unfamiliar people. Providing familiarity can go a long way toward calming your child. AS they get older you can encourage them to go along, many kids will eventually want to go alone as a mark of their own independence.

Find The Right Dentist

The most important thing you can do towards dealing with the fear of the dentist is finding the right dentist longterm. Not only does a dentist need to be good at providing dental services, but they need to be able to help your child feel comfortable. Knowing how to talk to children and engage with them throughout a dental visit is key to your child feeling comfortable. Although your child may never like going to the dentist, a good dentist can keep them from being afraid to go. Once you find a dentist like that you will want to consistently visit that dentist so your child can keep that familiarity.

Schedule an Appointment with All Pro Dental

If you live in the Greater Boston area, consider scheduling an appointment with All Pro Dental in Revere. Our team is known for helping children stay comfortable from the waiting room to the end of their visit. Contact us to learn more or set up an appointment.