New Experiences Matter

It’s not uncommon for new experiences to be a little scary for some children. This is especially true when it has anything to do with medical treatment or dental visits. With the number of adults who also suffer from dental anxiety, it makes it even harder to avoid spreading the fear to our children.

If your child is unfamiliar with the dental office and how dental cleaning works, the very idea can be overwhelming. It’s a new environment, there are new tools that make strange noises, and the dental hygienist is a stranger. If your child doesn’t know what’s going to happen, it can be easy for anxiety to take over. Don’t worry, we have some ideas to help you teach your child to trust their dentist before their first appointment.

Start Early

Potentially one of the easiest ways to protect your children from dental anxiety is by starting dental visits early. This is typically done when your child gets their first tooth or reaches their first birthday. Even though the little ones likely won’t have all their teeth by age one, this appointment is an amazing time for them to meet the dentist, and start acclimating to the experience. Don’t worry, these appointments don’t have to be boring! There are always ways to make the experience fun. 

As soon as that first tooth makes it through the gums, it’s officially time to start brushing twice a day. When there are two teeth next to each other, it’s time to introduce floss. This can be a little tricky if the little one is a professional squirmer. Do your best to remember that consistency is key here. The goal is to get them used to the oral care routine. Over time, it will become second nature.

Use Positive Language

What we say and how we say it has a direct impact on our children. Though we know this, it can be easy to slip up at times. After all, we’re human! Even before our children have a solid grasp of their native language, they read our body movements and tone and understand more than we realize. This makes it even more important to watch what we say about the dentist. When we use positive language about upcoming dental appointments and even our own dental cleanings, our children pay attention and store that information away. When talking about it, try to avoid negative words. Keep it as positive as possible!

Role-playing and Storytelling

Children learn the best through play. Whenever you’re playing pretend with your kiddo, create a scenario where a character goes to the dentist. Yes, this can work with toy cars as well as dolls. Let that imagination free! Remember to keep that language positive surrounding the dentist, and run through what a typical dental cleaning appointment will look like.

Reading books is another popular option to help get your child used to what happens at a dentist. If your little one is obsessed with sharks, there’s an option for them! If they love Daniel the Tiger, there’s also a cute dentist book for them. No matter what they are into, there is bound to be a book to help them learn about the dentist. 

Both of these tactics help get your child used to what happens at a dental cleaning appointment, meaning they’re going to know what to expect when they walk through the door for the first time. 

Stay Calm and Supportive

It might sound easy to remain calm and supportive before, during, and after the visit. But that can be a little tricky if you have some anxiety floating around your own mind. Everyone’s past is different, and it can affect how we feel during appointments—even when they aren’t our own.

Take a deep breath, you’ve got this! Do your best to remind yourself what’s going on, and that you and your little one are perfectly safe. Do what you can to keep yourself calm throughout the appointment, that way you can help reassure your child when needed.

Time to Build That Trust

Positive communication goes a long way to helping your child build trust with their dental care providers. Do what you can to remain calm around the appointment itself, and be sure to read books or play games about going to the dentist beforehand. Doing this along with maintaining a positive narrative when you talk about their upcoming dental appointment will do a world of good to help your child feel confident at their first appointment.

Whether your child just got their first tooth, is nearing their first birthday, or is a raving toddler ready for a dental cleaning, we’re here to help you and your family have a lifetime of healthy smiles. Appointments can be made easily online in only a few clicks!