How to Help Your Child Love the Dentist
If your child has had a bad experience at a dental visit or if your child has not yet visited the dentist for the first time, then you may be wondering how to help your child overcome fear or anxiety related to visiting the dentist. Parents often ask, “How can I help my child have a positive relationship with the dentist?”
While every child is different and responds differently to healthcare visits and dental care in particular, there are some things you can do to help your child learn to love their dentist. In this article, we offer 5 tips for helping your child enjoy a positive relationship with their dentist.
✓ Choose a pediatric dentist.
Why? Because pediatric dentists are uniquely prepared to care for the dental needs of children. If you are concerned about your child’s first dental visit, then choosing an experienced pediatric dentist can be the first step to a positive dental experience.
What makes pediatric dentists specially qualified to care for kiddos from infancy to adolescence? A pediatric dentist, like Dr. Brent Caple, is required to complete at least a two-year residency program specializing in pediatric dentistry in addition to the four years required to earn a DDS degree. In addition to the experience and expertise of pediatric dentists, a pediatric dental office is focused exclusively on oral and dental health for young patients. From the atmosphere to the staff members, pediatric dentists work hard to make little ones feel at ease and even excited about visiting the dentist!
If you are looking for an experienced pediatric dentist in northwest Arkansas, then request an appointment at Dr. Caple’s office today. Dr. Brent Caple is an award-winning pediatric dentist with over 27 years of experience serving patients at his Rogers, AR, pediatric dental clinic.
✓ Start dental visits at an early age.
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and the American Dental Association support the concept of a “Dental Home”. The idea is essentially that a patient should have an ongoing relationship with a primary dental care provider starting no later than age one. A dental home means that “a child’s oral health care is managed in a comprehensive, continuously accessible, coordinated and family-centered way”, which enhances the dentists ability to provide optimal care while also establishing a solid foundation for a lifetime of oral health. (source)
Starting your child’s dental visits at an early age helps to:
Build familiarity and comfort during dental visits
Alleviate fear or anxiety associated with dental care
Initiate preventative strategies
Provide early detection for oral or dental health concerns
Educate and empower parents and caregivers to provide proper oral health care and start healthy habits
If your child has not yet visited the dentist, Dr. Brent Caple offers a complimentary infant oral exam for children ages 2 years and younger. This visit with Dr. Caple includes a comprehensive exam as well as a Q&A session with Dr. Caple including at-home hygiene instructions and next steps for your child’s dental care. To request your complimentary infant oral exam, call our office or request an appointment online.
✓ Avoid attitudes or actions that trigger dental anxiety.
Parents have a powerful role to play in preparing their child for a dental visit by creating positive or negative associations with dentistry.
For parents or caregivers, it is best to be relaxed and at ease when talking about or preparing your child for their dental visit. Rather than saying something like like “It won’t hurt.”, you can instead speak positively about the dentist and the importance of taking care of their teeth. Help your child understand what will take place at the visit but avoid using fear-inducing words like “drill, hurt, pull, or needle”. You may even want to show your child pictures of the dental office or dentist before the visit so they can get to know the people who will be taking care of them.
✓ Practice healthy hygiene habits at home.
Practicing healthy oral hygiene habits at home helps to give a child confidence and comfort when it comes to dental care. Even for infants without teeth, parents can gently wipe the gums with a clean, damp washcloth, which helps to keep your child’s mouth free of decay-causing bacteria but also helps both you and your baby grow accustomed to daily oral hygiene habits.
✓ Make dental health enjoyable.
In addition to helping your child build good hygiene habits, parents should also provide consistent affirmation to their baby or child for making healthy choices and for even the simple things like brushing teeth. For infants, try to make mouth or gum cleanings a sweet and enjoyable time when the child experiences affection and laughter.
For toddlers and older children, parents can consider incorporating an incentive for healthy habits and, at the very least, offer praise and encouragement. All in all, parents play a vital role in helping children associate dental care with positive experiences rather than negative critiques or harshness.
At the office of Dr. Brent Caple, pediatric dentist serving Rogers, Bentonville, Bella Vista, Lowell, and surrounding areas in Northwest Arkansas, our team loves helping children establish a healthy foundation for their oral and dental health in a safe and friendly environment. Our mission is to provide the best pediatric dental care. If you are looking for a dentist in Benton County specializing in pediatric care, then request an appointment at Dr. Brent Caple’s office today.
We look forward to meeting you and your child!