A few years ago, I started thinking carefully about what I could do to improve my smile. I had lived with crooked, yellowed teeth for most of my adult life, and honestly, I just wanted to feel beautiful. I started thinking about working with a cosmetic dentist, and before I knew it, I was in an office getting a complimentary consultation. I learned about a variety of different procedures that could improve my look, and it was really fun. I wanted to create a blog all about making smiles more beautiful, which is why I made this website. Check out this blog for great information about dentistry.
Your child's first dental appointment may be a stressful experience as a parent. Your child will most likely have some anxiety about the appointment that will make them uneasy about going. They may have heard stories about dentist chairs and drills, but they may have never actually seen them before. It is your job to make them feel comfortable about the experience. Here are 4 tips for making their first dental cleaning a success.
Request A Tour of The Dentist Office
A big fear of the dentist for a child is that they don't know what to expect. Ask your dentist if you can schedule a tour of the office before your child's first appointment. It will help ease their anxiety knowing that the visit is just to look around and that a dentist won't be going near their mouth.
It will also help to meet their dentist in person, even if it is for a brief moment. Their dentist will no longer be a stranger when they come back, which should make them feel at ease when they come back for their teeth cleaning. It takes the fear of the unknown out of the equation since they can put a face to the person that will be inspecting their teeth.
Show Your Child The Equipment
Ask your dentist if s/he can also show some of the equipment that they will use during your child's teeth cleaning. Your child may be envisioning loud drills and large needles, which can create some unnecessary fear in their mind. They may find some of the equipment intriguing such as how the chair can move into so many different positions.
Build Up The Event With Friends And Family
If other people treat their teeth cleaning as something that is exciting, your child will have a positive impression of it. Tell your friends and family about it so they can give your child a boost of encouragement. It will make their appointment feel more like a right of passage rather than something to fear. Positive reinforcement can go a long way with a small child.
Use Role Play
You can act out the roles of the dentist and patient with your child to let them know what it will be like. Start by being the dentist and walk your child through the procedure. Then switch roles and give your child a chance to be the dentist. It will show that you do not mind being the patient and there is nothing to fear.
The main benefit of going to a pediatric dentist is that they have the experience and training for working with small children. They will understand the experience that children are going through and help make it easier for your child.
For more information about pediatric dentistry, contact a professional like John Shea DDS.
Share7 July 2015
