Does your child have a fear of the dentist? Are you wondering what you can do to help them overcome their fears?
Fear of the dentist is pretty normal. In fact, a recent study found that nearly 60 percent of people suffer from dental anxiety worldwide- including adults!
Luckily, there are things you can do to help your child overcome their fears.
Check out this guide on how to get over your fear of the dentist to learn how to help your child cope.
1. Avoid Using Scary Language
A common mistake that parents make when discussing the dentist with their children is using language that will scare them.
Avoid using the words shot, drill, pain, or any other words that will make them nervous.
Instead, make sure you’re only discussing the dentist in a positive light. Talk to them about how going to the dentist is great because it keeps their teeth clean and white.
Also, let them know that they’ll get a prize at the end of the appointment (most pediatric dentists hand out stickers and other small gifts).
2. Read Your Child a Book About the Dentist
Reading a book about the dentist to your child is another great way to help them overcome their fears.
Through books, children can learn how useful and helpful dentists are and that there’s no reason to be nervous about their upcoming appointment.
Some great children’s books about the dentist include:
- Just Going to the Dentist
- Curious George Visits the Dentist
- My Dentist, My Friend
- Doctor De Soto
- ABC Dentist
Most of these books should be easy to find at your local library.
3. Buy Them Dentist-Related Toys
Another great way to help your child prepare for the dentist is to buy them dentist-related toys.
Toys can help your child familiarize themselves with the dentist, and it can make them feel empowered about their appointment instead of afraid.
There are many toy dentist kits you can buy online that include toy teeth, tools, and stethoscopes.
4. Explain What’s Going to Happen at the Appointment
A lot of dental-related fear is more so about fear of the unknown.
Explaining what’s going to happen at the appointment can help eliminate this fear.
Tell your child about the waiting room and how they’ll be able to play with toys and look at magazines. Then, explain that they’ll go to a special room to get X-rays, and then someone will clean their teeth for them.
Describing these events can help show your child that there’s nothing to be scared about. To learn more about what goes on at a pediatric dentist appointment, you can check out http://www.boisedentist.com/.
How to Get Over Fear of the Dentist: Time to Get Your Child Ready
Now that you’ve read this guide on how to get over the fear of the dentist, it’s time to put these tips into action. With these tips, your child’s dental fears will be a thing of the past. If you need more information, make sure to go for a dental check up with general dentistry in Avon lake Ohio.
Be sure to check back in with our blog for more articles like this one.
