Teaching your kids to embrace their oral hygiene regimen and with it, going to the dentist - Parents Magazine suggest the following tips. Start early, the sooner they can become acclimated with the routine of going to the dentist the more comfortable they will be. Rhea Haugseth, D.M.D., president of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry said it's best if their first visit starts at age 1 or when the first tooth is visible.
Don't make kid's education on brushing teeth and dentist visits to complicated. While you should communicate with your child clearly about their visit to the dentist, giving them too many details about what is going to happen or what may happen can give them extra anxiety. Answer their questions and keep a positive attitude without giving them false hope. Don't tell them everything is going to be OK because they may end up needing a treatment and will lose trust.
To keep with the positivity theme it's important to be aware of the language you choose surrounding visits to the dentist. For example don't use words like, shot, hurt or pain with children but instead follow the lead of the dentist. Oftentimes pediatric dentists have their own child friendly vocabulary to explain things in a less alarming way. Use phrases like strong and healthy teeth.
Practice makes perfect. Try doing a "trial run" before your actual trip to the dentist. Act out the appointment with your child just using a toothbrush and counting their teeth with numbers or letters. Avoid using scaring drilling or instrument noises to prevent anxiety. You can also try using a mirror to give an example of how the dentist will check their teeth in the back. Trying it out in the reverse helps too. Give them a toothbrush and let them play act with one of their toys.
Don't try to give your kids too much preparation. You may be tempted to take them to your own dentist office to observe but this can add to future fears. Your experience and theirs will be different, as child dentist's offices are usually less sterile and cold with toys and books. Add to that they may sense your anxiety about your appointment and might internalize this.
