Many of us dread going to the dentist and your kids may feel the same. Helping to prepare your child for the dentist can help them know what will happen and prevent fear. If your kids know that regular dental check-ups are important, they can become accustomed to them. Here are some steps you can take to walk your child through the dental checkup and mentally prepare them.
Positive Attitude
Parents, whether they mean to or not, can pass their dental anxiety on to their children. Even if you are not a big fan of the dentist, don’t show that to your child. Keeping up the positive chat with your child can help them to see that this is a safe environment for them. If your child does start to get upset, keep your cool and provide a safe and happy face for your child.
Watching Videos About Dental Visits
Watching their favorite characters attend the dentist can help it seem more positive and easy. There are many cartoons, YouTube videos and books that can help walk children through what happens at the dentist. Having an idea of what to expect before the appointment can provide a sense of safety and security.
Bringing Their Favorite Things
If your child has a favorite toy or stuffed animals, bring them to the appointment. Having a familiar comfort item can help keep children calm. Often, dentists offices can provide toys or stuffed animals to help keep children calm.
Take A Tour Before Your First Visit
Taking your child to see the office without any appointment can be helpful. Mountain View Pediatric Dentistry offers an online tour or you can come in and take a physical tour of our Pleasant View office.
Schedule The Appointment Wisely
Scheduling your child’s appointment around a time when they will be in the best mood can help them become less agitated and anxious. Some times to schedule your appointment could be after a nap or after your child has eaten a meal. When we are tired and hungry it is easier to become frustrated. Children can be less tolerant to new situations when they are hungry or tired, making a dental visit almost impossible.
Tell Your Child At The Right Time
While it may seem smart to tell your child early, telling them too early can help the mind to run wild. This can lead to some anxiety about the unknown and cause lots of unnecessary worry. Telling your child just the day before or even the morning of can help avoid the imagination to come up with untrue scenarios.
Our Cavity Free Program
Children often love prizes and incentives. Our office wants to celebrate those who are cavity free! Thanks to the generosity of several businesses, we have created our Cavity Free Reward Program to help kids teeth stay healthy. Children receive a wooden nickley at their sixth month visit that they can take to the follow businesses for a free treat:
- Fiiz Drinks in North Ogden
- Papa Murphy’s North Ogden
- Twisted Sugar
- Lee’s Marketplace North Ogden
- Nils Swedish Creamery
- And more
To see the full list of businesses and the free incentives they have offered us, click here.
Not having cavities is an important reason to tell you kids to visit the dentist and can be a fun experience with a free treat. We believe that coming to the dentist should be rewarded, so help your kids set good habits and come in today.
Why Work With The Moose Dentists?
Our dentists are fun and treat your children like one of our own. You can find bios and fun photos of our dentists on our website, which can help your kids to see who they will be visiting with during their appointment. Our doctors are passionate about providing amazing dental care for our patients and want our office to feel like a safe place. Bring your child in to meet us today!