Is your child afraid of the dentist? We take this as normal – after all, we were scared at their age too, weren’t we?! Today we are parents ourselves, and we should do everything we can for our children to solve this common problem of children being afraid of the dentist.
Start with the first visit and make it an interesting introduction. It’s best if this visit is a preventive one. The dentist will assess the general condition of the mouth: the teeth, gums, bite and jaw development. And you can rest assured that your child is developing normally. If nothing is bothering your little one, the first visit to the dentist can take place at the age of 2.
Try to link the visit to the dentist with a favorite toy. I’m sure a good pediatric dentist will understand and help create a pleasant atmosphere for the child. A playful environment will get the child used to the white coat and the dental chair. If the doctor is a professional, they will spend as much time as needed to help the child adjust and relax. As a result, the child will open their mouth and show their teeth to the dentist.
It’s best if one dentist looks after your child’s development. They will be able not only to teach and treat, but also to become friends with your child. After all, a modern pediatric dentist has lots of interesting things – colored fillings, fun glasses, fruit-flavored mouthwashes, toys, a playroom and more.
When the first pain appears, it’s much easier to go to a doctor like this. You can explain that everyone goes to a kind doctor to save a tooth. It’s better not to deceive your little one – just explain simply, as an everyday matter, what the doctor needs to do. If you don’t overdo the promises, your child won’t even suspect that anything scary awaits them at the dentist. Don’t pass your own fear on to your child – dentistry has changed radically since then.
All you need to do is go to a dental clinic that uses modern medical equipment and the latest anesthetics, so that your child won’t feel either the needle or the tooth treatment.
If you are calm and don’t worry, your child won’t develop unnecessary fear either, which keeps many from making friends with the dentist. And that is essential, because children should see a dentist twice a year, and during such an important time as baby teeth being replaced by permanent ones, a check-up every 3-4 months is recommended. After all, children’s enamel isn’t dense enough, they eat lots of sweets, and they usually don’t brush well. This creates ideal conditions for caries.
A pleasant doctor will teach your little one how to brush properly, apply fluoride varnish and seal the fissures (natural grooves) on the chewing surfaces in time – the places where caries most often develops. All of this is completely painless, children get used to it very quickly, and the effect lasts a long time. That’s why it’s worth introducing your child to the dentist early and creating a positive image of them. Never scare your child with the doctor or the needle, as parents often do. Give your child a positive image of the doctor.
When they grow up, they will understand for themselves how important your effort and hard work were in keeping their smile beautiful and healthy.
