Learning to Manage Your Dental Problems

The Dentist Doesn't Have To Be Scary: Easy Ways To Calm Your Nervous Child

26 February 2019 by Charlotte Beck

While it has become somewhat of a cliche, many kids are really scared to go to the dentist. The problem is that you can't not take your kids to the dentist. Even if they are diligent about brushing their teeth (which most kids are not that keen on doing every night!) it's still important that you take them to the dentist. There are various issues that young children need to have addressed, such as teeth coming in incorrectly, braces, retainers, and potential overbites that you cannot neglect. If you do end up neglecting these issues, then the eventual cost to correct them is very expensive. You never want to avoid taking your kids to the dentist because if they end up going to the orthodontist, then it will really cost you a lot of money. So, here are some ways to calm your nervous kids and make it so that they don't fear going to the dentist.

Show Them Education Videos Geared Towards Children

One of the best ways to make kids less scared about going to the dentist is to demystify the entire process. Most kids are afraid because they don't know exactly what will happen when they go to the dentist. They might have heard tales of the dentist from schoolyard kids who have exaggerated all of the tales and made it into a terrifying experience. Or perhaps they have seen some sort of cartoon or movie where people scream at the thought of the dentist. All of these images and stories need to be demystified. The best way to do this is to show your kids realistic depictions of what happens when they go to the dentist. You can find educational videos online that are designed to let children know what will happen, and they will assuage your children's fear. These instructional videos are often narrated by friendly dentists and show the process of what happens when you go to a dentist.

Pick A Pediatric Dentist

Finally, what you need to do is pick a dentist who has experience dealing with children. A pediatric dentist will often have a much more child-friendly designed office (fun decor, wall graphics, coloring books, cartoons playing on a flat-screen television, etc.). Not only will the office environment be much more peaceful and friendly for children, but the dentist themselves will be more experienced with dealing with children. For instance, many children are simply terrified. A pediatric dentist will know how to deal with these children. That might include jokes and humor, or even allowing the parents into the exam room (which in most dental offices simply would not be an option).

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