Helping Children Feel Comfortable at the Dentist

Dental anxiety is a common problem for both kids and adults alike. It is often a major reason why adults don't get crucial dental care or why children have less than positive memories of their time at a dental office. It's ideal to prevent this negative cycle entirely by making sure that kids have positive experiences when they're young and form the right kids of associations with dental care.

Start Early

One of the best ways to get started is to schedule your child's first dental visit when they're around two years old. This allows them to get used to the idea of seeing a dentist and to experience dental visits as a normal and regular occurrence. Having good dental experiences and visiting the dentist for preventive care when children are young helps to prevent and limit dental anxiety as they get older and to avoid the association that you only go to the dentist when you need extensive treatment.  With regular dental care, children have a great chance of growing up with healthy teeth and gums as well as confidence about trips to the dentist in general.

Show, Don't Tell

Many parents adopt the strategy of talking to their child about dental visits before they go for the first time. But while this might seem like a good idea, this can actually increase anxiety, as children begin to imagine something they've heard about but not experienced. It's a much better strategy to show them what the dentist is like, rather than tell them.

This is why at Farnham Dentistry we like to have families bring in their youngest children if an older sibling is having an appointment. The youngest family member gets a chance to meet the dentist and see the office. Then when they come back for their first checkup, the office is already familiar to them. That helps them see that the operatory isn't a scary place, so that they feel relaxed and comfortable when it's their own turn to sit in the chair.

Sit in on the Appointment
For children who are inclined to be a little bit anxious, it can really help if a parent or older sibling sits in on their appointment. Having someone familiar there is reassuring, and this is why at Farnham Dentistry we're glad to have parents come and sit in on appointments.

Above all, it's important for parents to reinforce the idea that going to the dentist is a normal and routine part of life. It's also important for kids to see that their parents feel comfortable about dental visits. Talking about the dentist using positive and upbeat language is vital. For more information about dental care for children, contact our Jacksonville dentists for your next appointment.