In Newport Beach, some children have no problems going to the dentist, while in some cases the very mention of the word “dentist” can bring on paroxysms of fright. Even if you get a child started going to the dentist at the proper age, there is no guarantee that they are going to take to it easily. Children have irrational fears sometimes, and dental checkups aren’t exactly as fun as a trip to the ice cream parlor. But there are some ways that you can help to assuage your child’s fears and make things easier for them going forward.
Lead By Example
Kids want to be like their parents. You are their heroes, larger than life, and if you show no fear of something, they will want to do the same. Newport Beach parents can demonstrate to their young ones that they value oral hygiene by flossing and brushing twice a day and getting regular dental checkups just like they do. If you show that you have no fear, then they will try to be brave to emulate you. You can be sure and tell your kids that the dentist is on your side, a friendly doctor that wants to keep your smile healthy and strong.
Read Dental Books
Kids have a powerful sense of imagination, and if you read books to them about kids getting over dental anxiety, they will have no trouble making that association in their minds. If the language is easy to understand and there are colorful pictures, then it will normalize the experience for your kids. The Berenstain Bears Visit The Dentist is a classic example.
Play Dentist At Home
You can also get your child used to the idea of regular dental visits by making up a dentist-themed game at home. You can let your child be the dentist and pretend to clean your teeth. Then you can reverse roles, and they can be the patient. The idea is to instill the process with a sense of fun and whimsy. If you can make it a little silly and get your child laughing and enjoying themselves, then they will likely associate a trip to the real dentist with that frame of mind.
By continuing to work on the problem, you should be able to get to the point where the dentist doesn’t seem so scary for your young ones. Oral hygiene is so important, and getting past this stage of unease can serve your children well later in life. The last thing you want is for this fear to continue on into adulthood.