How to Help Your Child Overcome Fear of the Dentist
Going to the dentist can bring up a lot of fear in adults. It can also bring up a lot of fears in children as well. If your child is afraid of going to the dentist it can be very frustrating especially when they are desperately in need of dental care.
This is a common problem that can be overcome with a few simple actions. Here’s a look at how you can help your child to overcome the fear of the dentist.
Get Over Your Fear
Often children pick up their fear of the dentist from their parents. You may have unconsciously put fears in your child’s mind because of the way you speak about your experience and the way you react to the thought of having to go to the dentist.
The best way to help your child overcome their fear is to talk positively about your own experience.
Read Books
There are several books out there about children having their first experiences at the dentist. These books are aimed at helping children to overcome their fear.
Before taking your child to their appointment you may want to try reading some of these books to them. The aim is to rearrange their thought process about the visit and help to minimize or remove fear.
Schedule a Pre-appointment
Taking your child to a pre-op appointment dental visit is one of the most effective ways of helping to remove their fear of the dentist. Bring your child in to meet with them before their dental visit.
Your dentist will then be able to talk to your child about what the visit will entail and help to put them at ease. A pre-appointment visit will help your child develop rapport with the dentist. The more comfortable they are with the dentist beforehand the less anxious they will be when you bring them in for their dental appointment.
Start Dental Visits Early
One of the easiest ways to eliminate your child’s fear is to start dental visits at a young age. When children start going to the dentist early they will begin to feel comfortable in that environment.
Once children have a positive experience when they are very young, it is likely that they will not have a fear of the dentist. Children should start having dental visits as soon as they are six months old or as soon as they have their first pool.
Overcoming Fear
Fear of the dentist is something that many children experience. However, it is important that children learn to overcome their fears in order to ensure that they get proper oral care.
As a parent, you need to make sure that you speak positively about your own experiences and tell your child why visiting the dentist is so important. Try the tips given here to put your child at ease. If you do them consistently they will work to help decrease and eliminate your child’s fears.
