Straight Teeth in Less Time
Mistakes To Avoid When Preparing Your Child For A Dentist Visit
Lois Murray
If your child is like many, he or she may be a little scared or nervous about going to the dentist. Whether you've brought your child in for his or her first dental cleaning or not, there are some steps you can take to help your child quell those fears, such as bringing your child into your family dental care office for an "orientation" of sorts before his or her appointment. In addition, there are some preparation mistakes you'll also want to avoid.
Using the Words "Pain" or "Hurt"
Unless your child asks if the dental cleaning is going to hurt, avoid using words like "pain" and "hurt." If at all possible, you don't even want your child to begin to associate these words with going to the dentist. Generally, basic dental cleanings don't hurt. If anything, they may be a bit uncomfortable, and that's okay to relay to your child. To lighten things up without misleading your child, you may mention that the tooth cleaning can feel "funny"--but be sure to emphasize the importance of regular dental cleanings and oral hygiene along the way.
Trusting Just Any Dentist
Another mistake to avoid when it comes to preparing your child for a dental cleaning is thinking that all dentists are the same. This couldn't be further from the truth. Ideally, you'll want to find a family dentist office that has an experienced pediatric dentist on-staff. These types of dentists specialize in working with children and know how to ensure the most comfortable and relaxing experience for your child. If you have other friends who are also parents, consider asking them for recommendations regarding family and pediatric dentists like Rupp and Grabowski Family Dentistry in your area.
Dismissing Your Child's Fears
Finally, don't make the mistake of simply dismissing your child's fears of the dentist. Telling your child that being afraid of the dentist is "silly" or that he or she needs to "suck it up" is only going to make things worse. Instead, be sure to acknowledge your child's fears and don't be afraid to talk them out. This will prevent your child from feeling as though you don't care about his or her feelings. If your child is still feeling anxious after your talk, consider bringing him or her into the dentist's office to meet the staff and get to know the dentist before the day of the appointment; this can be an excellent way to establish expectations and quell fears.
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I had braces when I was a kid. Back then, you had to wear those metal wires and rubber bands for what seemed like forever. When I saw that my child’s teeth were going to be crooked like mine, I was dreading the years of braces and orthodontist appointments and limited diets that I saw stretching ahead of us. I was pleased to find out that braces today are very different from braces when I was a kid. They don’t need to be worn for nearly as long, and they aren’t as intrusive, either. My daughter got braces that can barely be seen, and she can remove them when she eats, so she doesn’t have to give up her favorite foods. I was so impressed that I started a blog to talk about modern day tooth straightening techniques. Braces have come a long way.