A trip to your Brisbane dentist does not have to be a scary ordeal. Even though the dental office is an unfamiliar environment and some of the people working there look a bit strange with masks and weird smells and sounds, you can do some things to help allay your child’s fears. Whether it’s the bright lights and buzzing of tools that are over stimulating, or they struggle with being expected to hold still for such a length of time, we’ve got our 5 top tips to help make the dentist less scary.
Find the right dentist office
Look for a paediatric dentist. They specialize in children. Their offices are designed to be more comfortable and inviting to children, with toys and books. Some even have video game systems set up in the waiting room.
Start early
According to The Australian Dental Association your child’s first oral health visit take place at 12 months of age, or shortly after the eruption of the first baby teeth. Children who see a dentist early in life get used to going and don’t mind visits when they are older.
Your dentist will evaluate your child’s oral and dental health and diagnose any problems, which may exist. Do not wait until a problem occurs. Preventive dental visits from an early age lay the foundation for a lifetime of good oral and dental health
During your child’s visit, the dentist will:
1. Look at the child’s face and jaws for signs of mal-alignment
2. Try to look at any teeth that are through to make sure they are healthy
3. Instruct the parent or guardian on fluoride, diet, brushing and general oral health tips
Tell kids what to expect
There are some great books about going to the dentist. Check out your local library to see what they have and reserve one if necessary. Explain to your child any procedures that they might have without going into too much detail.
Don’t lie about what will happen
If you know that your child is going to have an injection or get a filling don’t lie about it not hurting. It probably will, be honest without exaggerating, and tell them that you will be there to hold on to their hand.
Practice good dental hygiene at home.
Brush your child’s teeth daily to help keep teeth and gums healthy. Paediatric dentists recommend supervising teeth brushing until children are 9 years old! Healthy gums and clean teeth can help make dentist visits shorter and easier. Limit sweets and serve your child a balanced, healthy diet.
A trip to the dentist doesn’t have to be terrifying — for parent and child. By preparing your child in advance, you’ll all go in feeling more comfortable. Yes, the dentist without tears is possible! Now that’s a milestone to mark down in the baby book.
Want to make teeth brushing fun? Check out our article here.
Absolutely! Getting kids to actually enjoy going to the dentist is quite a trick. Practicing good dental habits at home is definitely a good first step. I also like your simple advice about not lying to them. Letting them know what to expect is a much better approach.