5 Ways to Help Your Child Overcome Their Fear of Dentists
Your child’s first few visits to the dentist’s office can be absolutely distressing. You may even remember your very own first dental appointment and hesitation at getting in that chair. At Burke Children’s Dentistry, we want to make your child’s experience a comfortable one. We do all we can to put you and your child at ease. With that in mind, we’ve compiled a list of five helpful tips to help your child overcome their fear of dental appointments.
Best Time for a Visit
“They grow up so fast” isn’t just an expression! Kids do the most growing from birth until adolescence and the health of their teeth, gums and mouth needs special care. It’s best to get your child acquainted with his or her dentist at an early age, preferably when they still have their baby teeth. If your child is introduced to a dentist’s office at an early age, they are less likely to dread visits.
Visit in Advance
Speaking of visits, one of the best things you can do for your child is pay a visit to our dental office before the actual appointment. In doing so, your child becomes more familiar with the surroundings and the initial visit isn’t one of fear, but of curiosity!
They’ll be greeted with smiling faces and warm hellos, which results in a more relaxed child and a happier you. As a result, when you return for the actual appointment, your child remembers their first visit and there will be no surprises.
Short and Simple
When you and your child are preparing for that first appointment, prepare to be bombarded with questions and the ever persistent, “why?” At this point, it’s better to leave things unsaid. If you go too much into detail about your child’s first visit, it may result in more questions and unnecessary anxiety.
Avoid Trigger Words
No one likes the words shot, pain or hurt. It’s best that your little one doesn’t hear these words prior to their appointment. Our skilled staff will do their very best to ensure your child has no fear and is put at ease without the use of such words.
Prepare for Fussiness
No matter how many precautions you take, your child may get fussy. Chances are your child may wiggle, cry and whine at the sight of anything dentist-related, but it’s something we’re completely prepared for at Burke Children’s Dentistry. We will show your child that the dentist is not something to be feared, but something to smile at.
Never Fear Healthy Oral Hygiene
Don’t let your child grow up with a fear of dentists. Together, we can show them how painless and fun the process of achieving a winning smile can be! If you have any questions about that first visit, or about our services, feel free to contact us today at any one of our three locations in the Rio Grande Valley.
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