5 Tricks to Help Your Child Love the Dentist

Posted by: Dr. Sirakian Categories: Uncategorized

What is one of the most common phobias? You guessed it—the fear of going to the dentist! People of all ages get a bit cagey at the idea of getting in that examination chair. However, for a young mind, the dentist is obviously much more confusing and difficult to process and understand.

Luckily, there are some simple tricks, and if you make sure to choose the right dentist, you can help your child to not fear the dentist and make sure they grow up with the right attitude towards good dental hygiene!

Start them young

Find a dentist that you plan on taking your child to for the foreseeable future, and make sure to introduce them to their dentist early on. This introduction ideally takes place before any actual appointment takes place. This humanizes the dentist and allows them/you to explain to the child the concepts of oral health and why it is crucial.

Choose your words carefully

Make sure to maintain a positive tone with your word choice. Make sure to help your child understand that their friend (the dentist) is going to clean their teeth with a “special toothbrush”. Avoid negative words like “pain” or “hurt”, and focus on the positive.

Practice at home

Before their first cleaning/checkup, stage a “pretend” dentist visit with your child. Explain to them what the dentist will do and why, and be sure to make it fun! This will help them develop a positive attitude towards the experience, and give them a better understanding of why they have to go to the dentist.

Avoid bribery

Although it may be tempting to coax your child through the stress of the dentist with the promise of reward, it’s best to avoid this technique. Offering a bribe immediately enforces the idea that the dentist visit is an unpleasant experience that needs to be compensated for. Instead, constantly commend your child on his/her bravery, maturity, and good attitude throughout the visit!

Emphasize the importance

Make sure to convey the importance of regular dental check-ups to your child. Be sure to highlight how visits will keep their teeth strong and healthy, and prevent problems down the road.

If you need additional advice on how to ease your child into their first visit to the chair, give us a call to consult our team of dental professionals.

Source

How a Virus Can Help Prevent Infections

Researchers from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem’s Faculty of Medicine have found a virus, of all things, that may help solve some problems of root canals. Their research suggests that we can turn the tables on post-procedural bacterial infections by utilizing a type of virus called a bacteriophage. Bacteriophage viruses attack bacteria specifically, which offers […]

Bacteria-Causing Gum Disease May Lead to Oral Cancer Growth

As we get older, we need to pay more and more attention to our oral hygiene. If we keep it healthy, we will be at a less risk for common issues such as cavities, but more importantly, we will limit our risk for gum disease and oral cancer. A recent study from Case Western states […]

Redheads More Resistant to Novocaine

Although the connection seems unlikely, there is new evidence that suggests that if you have red hair, you are more resistant to local anesthetics like Novocaine. This fact leads to redheads being about 20% more likely to have anxiety about dental procedure, and are much more likely to skip a trip to their dentist! All […]

Different Types of Dental X-Rays

During a dental appointment, it’s not uncommon for your dentist to want to take a closer look at what’s going on inside your mouth using an X-ray. They’re useful tools for dental professionals, but for the rest of us, they can sometimes be a little intimidating. Here’s a quick guide on some of the most […]

Could 3D Printing Be the Future of Root Canals?

Root canals are one of the most common dental procedures in the United States. Annually, approximately 15 million are conducted. If you do the math, that’s around 41,000 a day! Despite their status as a mainstay in dentistry, as well as the best way to save a tooth, root canals can occasionally have adverse effects […]