As an adult, you can help your children experience positive dental care with the right help and visiting a friendly children’s dental office. Follow the below tips to help keep your kids calm and happy if their trip to the dentist involves more than a routine cleaning.
Use Friendly Terminology
While tools like drills and suction can make a child fearful of treatment, they are necessary to treat cavities and larger instances of decay. Before their appointment, use friendly terms to describe their procedure. Use language such as “whistle” to describe a drill or “sugar spot” to talk about cavities. This gives kids a better impression of dental care and helps reduce feelings of anxiety.
Encourage Positive Behavior
If your child is scheduled to have a cavity filled for the first time, they don’t know what to expect and may find it easier to feel relaxed and calm. You can support their comfort by acknowledging excellent behavior. When your child lets the dentist look at their smiles let them know how well they’re doing. If the dentist uses special tools like a smile mirror or small pick to check soft spots on teeth, remind your child of how easy and comfortable dental care is.
Our staff takes part in this effort as well. During placement of dental crowns and preparation for fillings, we sit side by side with children and hold their hands. Throughout their procedure, we use positive and helpful language so they can feel confident while their restorations are completed.
Encourage them to Ask Questions
Kids should be able to ask about their dental treatments so they have nothing to fear. If your child wants to understand why they need treatment or what happens during their appointment, feel free to use the friendly terms mentioned above; let your child know how important it is to have a healthy smile. While fear of the dentist can be passed down from parents to kids, you can create a positive influence instead. Tell them about times you went to the dentist with a problem and left feeling confident and healthy.
As a parent, you plan an important role in creating a positive impression of oral health care. With your support, kids can feel great about dental treatments they need. Contact Eastern Dental for an appointment if your child needs to see a dentist!