While fear of the dentist is a very real thing (one which we recently wrote about), there’s another issue that plagues parents when it comes time for children’s dental check-ups – kids that just don’t want to go.
Some children have negative associations with dentist visits. This isn’t necessarily a fear or phobia; for some kids, visiting the dentist just isn’t something they like to do. But one way to deal with this issue is actually quite simple – make dentist visits fun!
Tell them all about the positives: Some TV shows and stories have unfortunately taught children to associate dentist visits with pain or scary tools. But by focusing on the positives, like the clean teeth they’ll have afterwards, and how the dentist helps teeth stay healthy and strong, your child will learn that there’s nothing to be scared of, and that these visits aren’t negative at all.
Start going at a young age: If you bring your child for regular dentist appointments before they have a chance to develop fears or negative associations, it won’t be an unfamiliar process once they’re old enough to understand. They will be comfortable in the dentist chair, and know that it’s an important part of staying healthy.
Choose a friendly staff: Not every dental office is created equal. A clinic with a staff that is friendly, knowledgeable, and understands concerns children may have can go a long way. When choosing your dentist, speak to some of the staff
And, most importantly:
Make it fun!: At Southeast Dental, we strive to make every dental experience as pleasant as possible – and when it comes to the kids, we know that means making it fun.