Risas Dental and Braces Offer the Best Tips to Ease Children’s Dental Fears

For most kids, worry about going to the dentist is simply the fear of the unknown.

Some may have had a not-so-fun experience in the past while active kids may be averse to sitting still for an extended period of time. Whatever the reason for a child’s dental fears, the good news is that there are ways parents can ease them.

Our experts at Risas Dental & Braces have experience dealing with anxious kids in the dental chair and are offering the best tips to parents:

Start them young: The earlier a child visits the dentist, the better. It’s best that the first visit start at age 1 or when the first tooth is visible.

Prepare at home: Play “pretend dentist.” Having the child brush his parent’s teeth, or reading a picture book about going to the dentist will help ease their fear of the unknown.

Emphasize the importance of good oral hygiene: Teach the child that visiting the dentist is a necessity, not a choice, and that the dentist will take care of his teeth so that they are strong. Leading by example is also a great way to show children the importance of oral care.

Instill Positive Feelings: As their parent, share a positive experience that you’ve had at the dentist with your children so they know there is nothing to fear.

Provide Incentive: Offer your child an incentive for going to the dentist. Something as simple as promising to take them to the park after a good appointment will create a sense of excitement and will serve as a reward for a good checkup.

Give Them Something to be Proud of: Tell your children how proud the dentists will be to see that they’ve been brushing every day. It will boost their confidence and give them a sense of pride.

According to Dr. Whitney Wright from Risas Dental and Braces, one thing parents should steer clear from is associating negativity with going to the dentist.

“Please don’t threaten your child with dental procedures,” he says. “You’d be amazed at how many times I have heard parents say to their disobedient children that they’ll take them to the dentist for a procedure they fear like a shot or a shot or a tooth extraction.”

If you have any questions regarding this topic, or would like to learn more, please visit RisasDental.com