3 Ways to Help Kids Overcome the Fear of Going to the Dentist
People often equate fear with going to the dentist, no matter how old they are. It is important as a parent to try to prevent or at least minimize this fear as best as possible.
How can you do this?
Talk positively about going to the dentist. Even if you aren’t speaking directly to your child about the dentist in a less than favorable way, they pick up on things. This also doesn’t mean that you should oversell it as if it is like going to the carnival. Less is more when it comes to details.If they see you are fearful, they will also be fearful…often before they even get to have the experience themselves. The key is to make them feel relaxed and comfortable, as if they are just going to a trip to the grocery store. No big deal.
Stay away from using negative words like “pain” or “hurt”. Focus instead on using words that will make them feel like they are going to be healthier and stronger after their dental visit. The key is to keep the vocabulary positive and light.
Get them excited that they will get a treat and/or toothbrush as a gift from the dentist. This will boost their confidence and make them look forward to future visits. That said, don’t promise them a treat after leaving the dentist office if they don’t cause a fuss and are on good behavior. This can actually work against you because it can actually make them wonder “What is going to happen at the dentist that my mom is thinking I may cause a fuss?!”
Are you looking for a kids dentist in Surrey who goes the extra mile to put your child at ease? Call us at Healthy Smiles Family Dentistry! We do our best to give children a very positive and happy experience.
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