How to Make Your Child Not Be Afraid of a Dentist By Mary Barton, eHow Contributor • Prepare your children for a dental visit. Proper care of teeth should be learned at an early age and followed throughout a lifetime. Most dentists prefer to meet young patients prior to the time that problems arise in children’s oral hygiene. They can assess the development of the child’s teeth, teach the child good oral hygiene and suggest preventative measures that should be taken . Introducing children to the dental office and their future dentist at a young age, and at regular intervals, will make children more comfortable visiting a dental office. Instructions 1 Read children’s books about visiting the dentist to your child to familiarize them with dentists and the dental office. Young children are generally frightened by unfamiliar people, situations and equipment. Reading to them about what they can expect during a dental visit will ease any fears they have or may develop. 2 Schedule a dental visit for your child at a time when the child is refreshed and not hungry. The best time is generally early in the morning after breakfast or after an afternoon nap when the child is alert, well-rested and more open to new adventures. 3 Explain the dental visit to the child using positive language. Tell the child the benefits of visiting the dentist — that their teeth will be cleaner, healthier and that they will have a prettier smile after they have seen the dentist. Explain that the dentist is a friend who is going to look at their teeth so that they will grow strong to be able to eat their favorite foods. Don’t be negative about dentists around your child. 4 Practice visiting the dentist in play periods with your child. Make a game of counting their teeth and your teeth. Use a mirror to look at the insides of both of your mouths, and explain that dentists have smaller mirrors to look at the insides of their mouths and teeth. 5 Teach your child the proper oral hygiene of brushing their teeth after every meal prior to visiting the dentist. Make a game of tooth-brushing so that it is an enjoyable experience for the child. Teach your child how to rinse out their mouths with water to remove food debris around their teeth. 6 Arrive at your child’s dental appointment early. Don’t be rushed or late as this will build anxiety in both you and the child. Allow the child to bring a favorite toy or blanket with them to the dental office. This will help them feel relaxed and secure. Be fully supportive, and listen to your child about any fears they may have. Remind them that you visit the dentist yourself to take care of your teeth.
Posted on: Thu, 27 Jun 2013 06:09:38 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015