There is nothing more frustrating than trying to bring your scared and frightened young children into a dentist office. Children are, understandably, scared of the idea of having sharp, silver utensils prowling about in their mouths, inspecting every inch of their oral cavity for problems.
Despite the fact that you might be bombarded with a host of cries, complaints, and screams from your children; it's absolutely necessary to bring to them to the dentist for a check-up. For this reason, the dentist at Nashville Restorative Dentistry in Franklin, TN gave us some tips to consider when bringing your children to the dentist.
Start Early
Probably the best thing you can do to prepare your children for a dental office visit is to start talking to them the dentist as soon as possible. This will help them understand early on the importance of going to a dentist and frequent visits will become a norm to them.
Avoid Bribes
Never use candy, money, toys or any other type of bribe to convince your children to stop crying when they know they have to go to a dental appointment. You should never allow your children to take you hostage and force you to buy them stuff just to calm down their anxieties and fears of a dentist. This can be very expensive and doesn't seriously teach your children the importance of dental check-ups.
Choose the right dentist
You should take your children to a dental office that caters to young children and where staff has experience dealing with young ones. Dentists have different personalities. Choose one that has a good amount of experience and the best reputation for dealing with young children who are filled with fears and anxieties over needles and instruments.
Teach hygiene at home
You should be teaching your children the importance of regular hygiene such as how to brush their teeth (if they have them), how to floss, not eating a lot of sugary foods, washing hands, etc. A part of teaching consistent hygiene is teaching children the importance of visiting a dentist for regular check-ups, cleanings, etc.
Be careful with language
This is especially true for younger children. Avoid using words like needles, pain, or any other word or phrasing that might set off a child's fear of pain. Children do not like the idea of getting shots and most dental tools and devices are seen as sharp, painful instruments.
Hopefully, these tips will help you set realistic expectations with your children as they prepare for a dental visit. You can't always please your children, but it's important to make them aware of having a nice smile and healthy set of teeth!