Children should start seeing a dentist as soon as the first tooth erupts. Early visits can make your child feel more comfortable around the dentist. But what if that isn’t always the case? Some children get nervous or anxious about seeing the dentist. What can you do?
At Surfside Smile Co., we provide a fun and laid-back atmosphere in our dental office. We want your child to feel relaxed and ready for a clean, healthy smile. However, we know that going to the dentist can be scary for some children. We have some suggestions that can help make your child feel excited about their next visit.
At what age should your child see a dentist? Dental visits should start when the first tooth erupts! It gives us a chance to ensure your child’s teeth and jaws are developing properly and will come in as they should.
These first visits also give us a chance to show you the best ways to clean your baby’s mouth and new teeth. The sooner you start good oral hygiene habits for your baby, the better the chances they will carry those good habits throughout their lifetime.
One way to ensure your child enjoys their time at the dentist is to choose the right children’s dentist in Middletown, NJ. The team at Surfside Smile Co. has years of experience treating children of all ages.
We take the time to make your child comfortable in our presence. We don’t just rush them into the exam. We get to know them and explain why we want to make their teeth pretty and healthy. We also encourage the parents to be with the child, especially on the first visit, so both of you know what to expect.
Your pediatric dentist should be willing to make your child’s comfort a main goal, and that’s exactly what we do.
Why are children afraid to visit the dentist? There are many reasons they could be afraid or anxious about their next dental visit. They may have heard from others that it’s a “scary” place. People joke about hating to go to the dentist, and children sometimes hear those jokes and take them at face value.
Children may also be anxious because they fear having cavities. They may be afraid they might “get in trouble” for not brushing properly. They know that cavities require drilling and filling them, and they may fear needing a filling. Who wouldn’t be anxious? But even visits with cavities don’t have to be scary.
Here are some ways you can relieve your child’s fear of the dentist.
YouTube offers several videos for children about visiting the dentist using some of their favorite characters. They can watch videos about Daniel the Tiger, Peppa Pig, or even Elmo from Sesame Street visiting the dentist! Ms. Rachel and Blippi have videos about dental visits, too.
These videos show your child what they can expect when they visit the dentist and how important it is to keep their teeth clean and healthy.
Do you read bedtime stories to your children? There are lots of children’s books about dental visits and how easy they can be. Most of these can be found at your local library or online at retailers like Amazon.
Here are some examples of books about visiting the dentist:
These are just a few of the books you can read to your child to help them understand what a visit to the dentist will be like. Minus the dragons, of course.
Children love to pretend, so why not pretend to visit the dentist? You can make them the patient while you act as the dentist and show them what to expect. Tell them about the tools the dentist will use to check their teeth and clean them up. Then, let them be the dentist!
Sometimes, all a child needs to feel more comfortable is their favorite stuffed animal, doll, or action figure. We’d love for them to bring along a favorite small toy (giant teddy bears may be tough to accommodate!).
We might even take a look at the toy’s teeth when we look at your child’s. That way, everyone leaves with a clean, beautiful smile!
Let your child watch a dental visit with you or a sibling. Watching what the dentist does and seeing how calm you or another child is can help your child learn to be relaxed in the dental chair.
We’re happy to help with this with another sibling. If you’re planning to take your child to an adult dental office, be sure to ask your dentist if it’s OK with them to have your child observe your visit.
Encourage your child when they practice good oral hygiene, and keep that encouragement up when it’s time to visit the dentist. Encourage your child to ask questions and answer them as best as you can. For those you can’t, we’ll be happy to answer them for you.
Positive reinforcement is another great tool. Plan a little time in the park after the appointment, or maybe take your child to get a new toothbrush of their choosing. There are lots of toothbrushes today with favorite children’s characters.
You won’t be alone in these actions. We love encouraging our young patients before, during, and after their checkup. Who doesn’t love picking out a prize for a great dental visit?
Dental visits can be scary for some children, but they don’t have to be! There are lots of ways to encourage your child and show them that dental visits aren’t scary at all and can even be fun! We make it a priority to keep your child relaxed and comfortable during their visit. Schedule an appointment with Surfside Smile Co. to see the difference we can make in your child’s oral health!
Enjoy a Complimentary Orthodontic Consultation for anyone 7+.
Call 732-639-0011 or request an appointment online to set up your first visit. We’ll be in touch soon.