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The dentist’s office can be a very scary place for children. Not only are they secured to an armchair and instructed not to move by a group of strangers in white jackets, but they also witness an array of very scary-looking dental tools. Does your child fear an upcoming trip to the pediatric dentist’s office? Here are some tips for how to ease your child’s anxiety about the dentist:
Share your own story. Chances are, as a child (and maybe even now, as an adult) you were just as fearful about the dentist. Share your own story about your dental exam experiences, and assure your child that, even though you also experience the pre-exam jitters, you made it through just fine. Sometimes knowing that someone relates is all a child needs to feel more at ease.
Read children’s books about going to the dentist. Because dentist anxiety is so common amongst children, there is an array of children’s books written specifically for little ones who might need some coaxing come time to visit the dentist. Search the web or visit your local library to find an abundance of children’s books about going to the dentist, and make it a point to start reading those books early – way before it is actually appointment time.
Educate your child on what to expect. Oftentimes, just knowing what they are in for can go a long way in easing children’s fears about the dentist. Don’t sugar-coat things (because children have enough sense to know that dental examinations aren’t exactly fun), but do put things into perspective in a way children can relate: “It is understandable that you are uncomfortable with the idea of going to the dentist, but nothing bad is going to happen to you and it will be over before you know it.”
Remind them of the treat at the end. Every pediatric dentist offers some type of reward to children at the end of their dental examinations, whether it is a sugar-free lollipop or a sticker. For young children especially, knowledge of the after-exam treat is enough to get them at least a little excited about sitting through a dental exam.
Oral hygiene is an important part of overall health and well-being, and good oral hygiene habits begin in childhood. It is important that you care for your children’s oral health now, so that they can develop their own healthy dental habits as adults. An integral part of your children’s oral upkeep is finding a pediatric dentist in Mukilteo WA area you can trust. The professionals at Harbour Place Dental in Mukilteo WA go above and beyond when it comes to helping your children maintain optimal oral health. Give us a call us at (425) 493-8111, visit and contact us through our website www.HarbourPlaceDental.com or contact us by email: harbourpldental@gmail.com
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