Have A Child Who Is Scared Of The Dentist? How To Calm Their Nerves

When it comes to dentists and dentistry in general, it's fair to say that they don't exactly have a good reputation. Because most adults are terrified to go to the dentist, it may be no surprise if your child seems a little bit nervous about getting their teeth cleaned as well. But because every child should see their dentist every six months for a cleaning, it's not something that you should put off to make them feel comfortable. There are some other things though that you can do instead to help them feel a little bit more ready to sit in the dentist's chair. 

Get a Pediatric Dentist

The first thing you should do is find a pediatric dentist. Pediatric dentists are dentists that specialize in children and taking care of their teeth. The great thing about these professionals is that they have tons of experience working with children who are fearful of the dentist, so they should have no problem working with your child and calming them down. Another benefit of going with a pediatric dentist is that they are familiar with children's mouths during every stage of development, which is something that not all dentists can say. 

Talk to Them About It

Sometimes, springing up a scary dentist appointment on your child may sound like the best way to go, but it may just cause a bigger meltdown. Instead, talk to your child about their upcoming appointment for at least a few days before. Talking to them about it and letting them know they have to go to the dentist may be a great way to help them feel a little bit more in control. Another thing you can do is grab some books from the library about going to the dentist and read them before bed and naptime for a few days leading up to their appointment. Often, the more exposure your child has to the thought of going to the dentist, the less of a shock it will be. 

Give Them an Incentive

All children love incentives, and being a parent is sometimes about giving them to your kid. Tell your child that if they go to the dentist, you will get to do something fun after like go to the park or a movie or they can pick out a cheap toy from the toy store. Then remind them throughout their check-up of the fun things they will get to do afterward. 

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