If your child is not thrilled about going to the dentist, you are not alone. Many children feel nervous or scared about going to dental visits for one reason or another. However, regular dental checkups are necessary for children to maintain good oral health. Here are a few tips to ease your child’s dental anxiety.
- Go to the dentist’s office before the appointment. If your child will be seeing a new family dentist in Cary, NC, it may be a good idea to drop by beforehand. This way, your child can familiarize himself or herself with the environment and staff. Have your child meet the dentist, hygienist, and other staff members. Once your child becomes comfortable with the environment and staff, he or she may be less nervous about the checkup.
- Keep it as simple as possible. When informing your child about what will happen during a dental visit, try to keep things simple. If you go into too much detail, your child may have more questions and fear. Tell your child that the dentist will look at his or her teeth and gums to make sure they are healthy.
- Don’t bribe your child. Some parents make the mistake of promising their kids a special treat after a dental visit. While this might sound like a good idea at first, it might do more harm than good. If you promise your child a reward for good behavior, he or she may wonder what is so bad about the dentist that a reward will be given.
- Avoid surprising your child. One of the last things you should do is surprise your child with a dental visit. If you wait until an hour before the appointment to inform your child, it can create unneeded stress. Instead, tell your child about the visit at least a week ahead of time. This will give them ample time to process things and prepare for the appointment.
- Set a good example. If you want your child to feel better about seeing a dentist, it is important to be a good role model. Commit to regular dental checkups and let your child know about them. If your child sees that you take dental visits seriously and look forward to going, it may help ease some anxiety.
If you would like to meet with a family dentist Cary, NC residents recommend, call Alliance Dentistry today.