Take Your Child In For A Teeth Cleaning To Get Started With Good Dental Hygiene
One of the most important predictors of a child’s dental health is whether he or she is scared of the dentist. Though it might sound odd, it’s true! There are many adults out there whose bad experiences with dentists early on impacted how much dental care they’ve sought.
In cases like these, it’s important to look at things from a child’s perspective and understand that something like the dentist could be very scary and unsettling for them.
So, how do you make sure that they are going to see the dentist as a friend and not a scary stranger?
Let’s look at some ideas:
- Come In For A Simple Procedure, Like A Teeth Cleaning
Lots of things have changed in dentistry, including the “scrapers” many adults remember. The cleaner a child’s teeth is when they see the dentist, however, the easier the procedure will be and the less they will fret about it the next time. That helps build good habits. - Take The Child To Meet The Dentist Beforehand
If you’re concerned that the procedure you need might be a little more complicated than a cleaning, it can be a good idea to take a young person in and introduce them to the dentist for five minutes a week or so before the procedure. This helps dispel their worries and fears. - Reward Them (Within Reason!)
Rewarding kids too much for things they should do anyway can cause problems down the line, but a small reward can be motivational. Be sure that they know that after the appointment, if they are good, they’ll get to do something fun. Anticipation will help them worry less. - Keep Them Involved And Engaged
It’s a good idea for everyone, young or older, to see the dentist at least once a year. Twice is even better! The longer the pause between visits, the more people can worry about what might happen. That’s true of adults as well as younger people!
At Community Dental Group, we pride ourselves on effective methods that reduce discomfort to the very minimum. We also work hard to win the trust of every member of your family.
No matter whether you’re in Thousand Oaks, Westlake Village, or Newbury Park, we welcome you to call or email us today. Find out more about our procedures or even set your appointment right now!