(HealthNewsDigest.com) – Many parents out there face the problem of their children simply not wanting to go to the dentist. They either see it as a scary experience, or at the least, an unpleasant one that is taking away from their day off of school. One of the best things any parent can do is instill a sense of good dental hygiene, and in order to do that you need to make going to the dentist fun. By getting your children to enjoy a trip to the dentist, you can ensure that they establish a healthy dental routine for the rest of their lives. Here are some of the best ways to make going to the dentist enjoyable for your children.
Start Young
Don’t wait too long before taking your child to their first dental appointment. You want to get them into the habit early before fears or per-conceived notions can set it. The habits your child learns at a young age can stick with them for the rest of their lives, so it is important to establish one for good dental hygiene as early as possible. While most parents will focus on making sure their child brushes their teeth each day, you also want to include trips to the dentist, so that they become just a normal part of life.
Check Your Own Attitude
Children learn a lot just by watching what their parents do. If you are afraid of going to the dentist – or express how much you dislike it – your child will begin to feel the same way. Even if the dentist is something scary or uncomfortable for you, you need to hide this away so that it does not rub off on your child.
Beyond not being afraid of the dentist however, you should also express excitement whenever you get to go. Say things to your child like “I can’t wait to have my teeth cleaned!” or “My teeth are going to feel so clean after my trip to the dentist!” Even if you don’t entirely believe it, showing excitement for the dentist, and experiencing joy at the thought of going, will show your child that it is not only something they don’t need to fear, but something that they can look forward to. So be sure to choose your words carefully when informing your child that they have a dentist appointment upcoming.
Avoid Bribery
It can be tempting to try and bribe your child with something to get them to enjoy going to the dentist. Many parents will say something like “If you behave at the dentist, we can go out for ice cream after!” While this may get your child to behave, it also instills in them the notion that the dentist is a bad place. They will begin to think “If the dentist is such a great place, why am I getting ice cream after? It must be a scary place.” Try to make going to the dentist the reward itself, rather than something else.
Therapy Dog
One unique approach that some dentist offices are taking is by providing their patients with a therapy dog. As an example, Lakefront Family Dentistry has started using a therapy dog named Stella to help comfort children who may find the dentist scary. Stella will keep children company while the dentist performs his work, keeping their mind off of what they are doing. Dr. Derek Hauser, DDS, states: “Some dental offices have made the patient’s experience their highest priority. Sometimes we see a child for 2-3 “fake” fillings/ visits before we actually do any treatment…that way they always have a great experience finished off with a trip to the treasure chest. It is very different from when we were children. We refuse to let anyone have a bad experience.”
Therapy dogs are trained to help calm people in stressful situations of course, and the thought of getting to play with a cute dog is certainly going to appeal to children.
Talk About the Positives
Lastly, before you make your trip to the dentist, be sure to talk up the positives your kids will receive from going. Often times the words we choose can be negative, and can cast a shadow over the visit. Talking about things like preventing cavities or needing braces are not pleasant to think about. Instead, talk about all of the benefits that come with having a clean mouth, and how going to the dentist is essential in this process. You want to focus on all of the good things that come from visiting the dentist, rather than all of the bad things it can prevent.
Set Your Children Up For Life
Many adults who are afraid of the dentist – or who avoid going – do so because of the habits they learn as a child. By making the dentist a fun and positive experience for your children, you prevent them from having these fears in the future. Going to the dentist doesn’t have to be something your children dread doing, and it all starts from your own attitude about it. If you can project a happy and excited attitude about going to the dentist, then your children will follow suit.
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