Taking your kids to the dentist is the best way to ensure they have good oral health throughout their entire life. If you start taking them when they are young, then they are less likely to be afraid of the dentist as they get older. However, sometimes they will still end up afraid of them. If your child is afraid, there are things that you can do that will help them handle that fear so that the appointments are as drama-free as possible. 

Role Play

One thing you can do to help your child is role-play what a dentist appointment will look like. Let them look at your teeth while you talk about what happened when you were at the dentist the last time. Acting like the dentist will give your child some control over the situation. Letting them feel like they have some control over what is happening will help them stay a little calmer during the appointment. 

Watch TV

Pretty much every children's cartoon ever has had at least one episode where their main character goes to the dentist. See if you can find and watch one of those episodes with your child. Depending on their age, you may have to watch it a few times and talk about it each time so they remember what will happen at the appointment. Talking about the appointment in context with their favorite show can help normalize it and make your child less stressed over the situation. 

Pediatric Dentist

You can also switch your child to a pediatric dentist if you don't already send them to one. The reason to do that is that they are going to be familiar with young kids and how scared they can be at appointments. The pediatric dentist will also have exam rooms that are more child friendly, which can mean brighter colors and cartoon characters on the walls. It can also mean that some of the tools kids might find scary are put away so they aren't in plain sight. Seeing those tools can cause a child's imagination to run wild, and anticipating what will happen can ramp up their anxiety. 

Taking your child to a dentist regularly helps them develop good oral health habits. But it can be challenging if your kid fears going to the dentist. If your child is worried, there are things that you can do that will help them not be as afraid.  

For more info about the dentist, contact a local professional. 

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