How to Help Children be Comfortable Visiting the Dentist
Visiting the dentist can be a nerve wracking experience at any age, but for young children the process may feel particularly overwhelming. A lot of children have anxiety about visiting the dentist, and while these fears are relatively common, it’s important to help children overcome them so they can take the best possible care of their teeth. Luckily, there’s plenty parents can do before and during a dentist visit to help calm children’s fears, so if you have a child affected by dentist anxiety, see below for some ways you can help.
The sooner you start taking children to the dentist the better; it’s good for their overall oral health and it helps normalise the process. Dentists recommend you take your child to the dentist as soon as their first milk tooth appears, this can be anywhere from around four months to 15 months of age.
Children are naturally curious and it’s likely they’ll have a lot of questions, but it’s a good idea to keep things simple and not include too many details. Describing a treatment such as a filling in too much depth might lead to more anxiety or worries that it could hurt. Be honest but positive; explain they might need simple treatments but that these are very common and something people have on a daily basis.
It might be tempting to offer sugary treats like cakes or sweets as a ‘reward’ for going to the dentist, but this gives mixed messages about the importance of visiting the dentist! Children might feel confused if the dentist preaches the importance of teeth brushing and avoiding too much sugar, only to be presented with a sugary snack afterwards. Instead, try rewarding (or bribing!) with a small toy or favourite activity instead.
It’s natural for parents to want to relate and calm their children’s anxiety, but stories of adult dentist trips (or bringing your child to your own appointments) could actually make things worse. Many adults don’t like visiting the dentist, so children could pick up on your own fears and begin to feel that the dentist is a scary place to visit.
Try ‘playing dentist’ at home to get children used to the idea. You could practice helping them feel comfortable opening their mouth so teeth can be counted, or use a mirror to show them how the dentist will check their teeth. Children can also play at brushing the teeth of a favourite doll or stuffed animal to get more comfortable with the idea.
If you’re looking for a friendly and professional dentist for your children in Swansea, get in touch with Manor Road Dental. Our team has years of experience helping patients of all ages feel at ease, and we offer a range of flexible dental plans to suit your budget. For more information about our range of dental services, give us a call or visit the website.
