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BE GOOD, OR I WILL TAKE YOU TO THE DENTIST!

For decades, it has not been uncommon to dread going to the dentist. Every adult has some sort of horror story about a tortuous trip to the dentist. Mostly our fear is due to the fact that we don't have wonderful habits of dental hygiene and we fear that the dentist may find something amiss in our mouth. Also, many people don't like pain of any kind, and some dental procedures are a bit uncomfortable. Unfortunately, we can tend to pass this fear on to our children, which can make the first dental visit a bit traumatic. Here are some ways to prepare the child for their first visit.

FIND A CHILD-FRIENDLY DENTIST

Dental care is not what it once was years ago. You can find a child-friendly dentist who understands how to create a good environment in the dentist office. Dentists have figured out that they get more business if they create a better atmosphere, which has led many of them to take steps toward making the experience a positive one. To ease the experience, shop for a dentist that specializes in children. We take our kids to a child-friendly dentist and we have never had a problem with them going. A child-friendly dentist is someone who knows who they are dealing with and does everything to make the child feel comfortable. Our dentist also has little things that make the office more fun, such as toys in waiting area, movies that the kids can watch while they are having their teeth cleaned, and a prize box at the end of their appointment. These little benefits have made it more appealing for our kids to go to the dentist. In addition, we have often taken our younger children along and the dentist has let them sit in the chair and be "examined" so that they feel like it is a positive thing to go to the dentist like their big brother or sister.

KEEP IT POSITIVE

Another way to prepare the child is to avoid making a big deal about the negativity of the event. If you talk about the visit like it is a positive thing, the child will be less likely to be fearful. Some parents make the mistake of telling their children about the dentist with stern and grave tones. Children can sense when something is amiss, so keeping it positive will help put the child at ease and cause them to treat the dentist like any other errand or appointment. Still, parents should be sensitive to anxiety and be ready to talk it through with the child as needed.

USE THE VISIT AS A WAY TO INSTILL HABITS

Some children may be anxious about the dentist, even if you put a positive spin on the visit. They may have picked up experiences from other family members or from friends at school. If this is the case, you may be able to use their impressions to instill good habits of brushing and flossing. If they are concerned about the visit, you can tell them that proper brushing and flossing will help make the visit shorter and less complicated.

Going to the dentist can be a nervous experience for a child, but it doesn't have to be if the parents are prepared. With today's child-friendly dentists and a little bit of positive reinforcement, the first visit to the dentist can be a positive experience that sets up a reasonable expectation for future visits. Or, it can at least be neutral so that in the future there is not ongoing anxiety.

Learn more about this author, Todd Pheifer.
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