How To Help Your Child Get Over Their Fear Of The Dentist

Taking your child to the dentist can be a difficult thing to do, especially if he or she has an intense fear of the dentist. This is why you will want to make use of the tips listed below. The more you prepare for this upcoming dental visit, the easier it will be on your child and on yourself. Here are a few helpful suggestions to get you started on the right path:

Find A Lot Of Books

There are a lot of books out there that can help your child get a little more familiar with the concept of children going to the dentist. Some books might talk about how fun a dentist visit can be. Others might address fears and talk about how to overcome them. This helps your child to see that he or she is not alone in their fear of the dentist, but that it really is not something that they should worry about. Try finding a few different books and read one to your child each day. After the story is over, you can talk about the book and how they can relate that to their upcoming experience at the dentist.

Go For A Short Visit

Call the dentist office and ask if it is possible for you to bring your child in for a quick tour of their office. Most dental offices are happy to do this in order to help their tiny patients feel more comfortable about the environment. After all, the calmer the child is, the easier it is for the dentist to do his or her job. If you can, you might want to go for a few visits, as this can help your little one feel more and more comfortable each time they go.

Play Dentist And Patient

Playing make believe is not only entertaining, but it can be educational as well. Take turns playing dentist and patient with your child so they get to experience what it is like to be each one. This make-believe play can help them build up the confidence they need in order to go for a real appointment with a real dentist.

All you have to do now is make sure that you are calling around to find the best possible pediatric dental clinic, if you do not already know who you will be using. This would also be a good time to talk with friends, family, or even your child's pediatric doctor for referrals to dentists that work well with children the same age as yours. You can also contact clinics like Dentistry for Children & Adolescents for more information.