Going to the dentist can be anxiety-producing for many people. Even grownups get scared at the prospect. Fear of the unknown is a big part of this panic. It can be especially troublesome for kids who may not have the developmental understanding of life experience to know what to expect at a dental visit. There are steps you can take to make their experience less overwhelming. Follow these five tips to help kids overcome the fear of dentists.
1. Be a Good Role Model
One way to help kids overcome their fear of the dentist is to be an excellent dental role model for them. You can do this by showing them what to expect at the dentist. Take them with you when you go to your appointment.
Allow them to watch and talk to them about each step. You can process the experience with them afterward to see how they feel about it and answer any questions. You also want to model good dental hygiene habits at home. Encourage them to brush and floss their teach. Help them if they require it. Let them witness your routine so they can see you practice what you preach.
2. Read Books
Kids love to learn. One of the best ways to learn about something new is to read a book about it. There are many children’s books about visiting the dentist. Find one with characters you think your children would enjoy and read it with them. These books tell relatable stories from a child’s point of view. They show fun characters having real-life experiences and demonstrate how dental care is typically painless.
3. Role Play
Another way to make preparing for the dentist fun is to role-play the experience. Kids love to play “pretend.” You can set up the whole scenario from arriving in the waiting room to what the tooth-cleaning process is like. There’s no need to discuss cavities or other dental work for their first visit.
These topics can be broached at a later date if necessary. Start with the basics. Set up a pretend dental office and walk them through each step. You can play the role of the dentist or enlist someone else to help so that you can remain in the role of supportive parent, showing them how you’ll be there for them during their real-life dental visit.
4. Provide Support and Distraction
For many children, just knowing that you’re there for them will be a comfort. Obtaining family dental care from a practice that sees people of all ages may make this a more welcoming experience. You may be able to stay with them in the exam room so that you can offer words of support and encouragement.
Your child will likely appreciate your presence. They may also want to take along a favorite stuffed animal, blanket, or small toy to help make them feel more at ease. Try to lighten the mood. Tell funny stories or jokes while you wait for the dentist to arrive. Talking them through the scary parts from the sidelines can also make things better for your child. Sometimes it’s helpful for them just to hear your voice.
There are several ways to safely comfort and distract your child without interrupting the dentist or their staff.
5. Offer Positive Reinforcement
Offering your children small prizes or rewards can be an excellent incentive to help them look forward to making it through their dental visit without getting too upset. Knowing there’s something good at the end takes their mind off of the scary part and gives them an incentive to push through their fear.
After all, most kids aren’t going to care much about the fact that they’ll have a shiny smile and healthy mouth after seeing the dentist. They want something tangible for their trouble. A small toy, a visit with a friend, or a trip to the movies with you are good incentives.
Hopefully, these tips will help your kids overcome their fear of the dentist. Knowing what to expect and having a good role model can go far toward visiting seem less scary. Having something to look forward to gives extra incentive to manage the experience. They will gain confidence each time they see the dentist.
