How To Prepare Your Child For A Dental Appointment
We adults know for a fact that a dental appointment is important for our children. Even though this is the truth, our children do not see it that way as they see this as something to fear. And as the date of the appointment approaches, the more anxious they get.
But what causes this kind of attitude among children? Actually, they may get this from their parents. If parents grew up fearing dentists, they can pass the same anxieties to their children. In some cases, parents threaten their children with painful tooth extraction when they refuse to brush or floss their teeth. Sometimes youngsters just get scared upon seeing set of tools found in the dental clinic and the images of patients crying and screaming because of pain. As parents we can help our children deal with this. The following are some insights on how you can prepare your child for a dental appointment.
Begin by orchestrating an honest conversation between you and your child. Ask about your child's fears. Children are usually afraid of getting hurt. This is something inevitable especially if they need to undergo a serious treatment. Thus, do not disregard the possibility of pain. Just explain that the dentist is a friend who will be cautious not to hurt them in any way. Follow up that conversation with a role play. You can do this at home days or hours before your schedule. Allow your child to be the dentist and take the role of a fearful patient. Remind your child to act as a specialist who encourages a scared patient. This aims at enlightening your child with the actual situation.
Set up a regular dentist visit that includes no dental treatment. Ask your dentist if he can have a friendly conversation with your child. Let him sit your child on the dental chair and explain his work while checking on the gums and teeth of your child. This creates a relaxed atmosphere for the little ones. If this does not work, choose another specialist in the field with whom your child can be comfortable. In fact, there are some dentists who are not comfortable attending to children as well.
Finding a specialist who cares for children is easy. Simply browse your local directory for contact numbers of potential clinics. Call them one by one and ask if they can provide the service you need for your child. You can also ask your family dentist to connect you with a pediatric dentist he might know. Finally, you can go to a pediatric hospital in your locality to fish for information.
The success of your child's dental appointment relies on the efforts you and your chosen dentist are willing to give. If you are still in the look out for a reliable specialist, here some reminders to note. A reliable dentist will assist you in case of accidents or dental emergencies; update you with your child's oral development; and help you guard and improve your child's oral health.
But what causes this kind of attitude among children? Actually, they may get this from their parents. If parents grew up fearing dentists, they can pass the same anxieties to their children. In some cases, parents threaten their children with painful tooth extraction when they refuse to brush or floss their teeth. Sometimes youngsters just get scared upon seeing set of tools found in the dental clinic and the images of patients crying and screaming because of pain. As parents we can help our children deal with this. The following are some insights on how you can prepare your child for a dental appointment.
Begin by orchestrating an honest conversation between you and your child. Ask about your child's fears. Children are usually afraid of getting hurt. This is something inevitable especially if they need to undergo a serious treatment. Thus, do not disregard the possibility of pain. Just explain that the dentist is a friend who will be cautious not to hurt them in any way. Follow up that conversation with a role play. You can do this at home days or hours before your schedule. Allow your child to be the dentist and take the role of a fearful patient. Remind your child to act as a specialist who encourages a scared patient. This aims at enlightening your child with the actual situation.
Set up a regular dentist visit that includes no dental treatment. Ask your dentist if he can have a friendly conversation with your child. Let him sit your child on the dental chair and explain his work while checking on the gums and teeth of your child. This creates a relaxed atmosphere for the little ones. If this does not work, choose another specialist in the field with whom your child can be comfortable. In fact, there are some dentists who are not comfortable attending to children as well.
Finding a specialist who cares for children is easy. Simply browse your local directory for contact numbers of potential clinics. Call them one by one and ask if they can provide the service you need for your child. You can also ask your family dentist to connect you with a pediatric dentist he might know. Finally, you can go to a pediatric hospital in your locality to fish for information.
The success of your child's dental appointment relies on the efforts you and your chosen dentist are willing to give. If you are still in the look out for a reliable specialist, here some reminders to note. A reliable dentist will assist you in case of accidents or dental emergencies; update you with your child's oral development; and help you guard and improve your child's oral health.
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