Many parents will experience the same difficulties when taking their child to see a pediatric dentist around Charleston, SC or elsewhere. It can be a bit difficult to understand why your child is afraid of the dentist, or how to help them.
Fortunately, after discussing this in great length with Dentist Fort Wayne I have found that there are some ways to help your child to get over the fear of pediatric dentists.
Why are Children Scared of the Dentist?
Children may be worried about pain, or maybe the experience of bright lights and an uncomfortable setting upsets them. They may feel that the environment is sterile and similar to a hospital, which can make them anxious.
Look for a pediatric dentist who takes extra effort to set children and teenagers at ease. Their office environment will be child friendly; there may be cartoon characters on the walls and perhaps even children’s magazines. This will help to alleviate any fears your child may have of the dentist. If you know that your child (or someone else you know) is developing a fear or a phobia for the dentist, it might be worth reading these 3 Simple Tricks To Help You Overcome Your Dental Phobia. Of course, it’s not just children that worry about going to the dentist – it’s adults too!
Find the Right Pediatric Dentist
A dentist who specializes in child and teen dentistry is the best choice for a comfortable experience for your child. You may want to choose pediatric dentists who have either taken child psychology courses or employ child psychologists.
This type of dentist will use fun ways to impart information about dental health to your child. This will help them to understand that visiting the dentist is not something to be feared, and they are unlikely to associate the visit with pain. Some places even give away Custom Toothbrushes to help encourage them to keep their cleaning routine up. Plus, what kid doesn’t love free stuff?
Choose a dentist that provides a personalized experience for your child, so that they feel welcomed into the office and associate the staff with having a friendly and warm experience.
How You can Help your Children by Example
You can try bringing your children along to one of your own dental appointments. You could both go to the same dentist, such as this Columbia Dental Orthodontists. This will show them you are not afraid of the dentist and neither should they be.
You can also keep physical contact with your child while they are at the dentist. For example, you can hold their hand or sit them on your lap to be examined. This will provide reassurance to an uncomfortable or fearful child.
Finally, always choose a pediatric dentist for your child as they will have had extra training to help make your child’s visit as easy as possible. Through these tips, you can help your children to enjoy their trip to any pediatric dentist in Charleston or elsewhere.
Sources:
Facts and Figures, NationalSmileMonth.org
How to Help a Child Who’s Scared of the Dentist, Parents.com