Dental anxiety isn’t uncommon, especially among children. After all, if they believe that they might have a negative experience, have gone to a dentist who didn’t take proper care to make the experience enjoyable, or have had to undergo a significant procedure that scared them, it’s reasonable to carry that anxiety to future appointments. The good news? No matter your child’s reason for being afraid or anxious, you can make their trips to the dentist more enjoyable and even get them excited to go. Here are a few tips to help make kids’ dentistry a bit more fun so your child can feel more at ease when it comes time for future appointments.

1. Ask for a Tour of the Office

Going on a tour of the office to meet everyone and see everything there is to see can make your child feel more at ease when they go to the dentist. Ask your dentist for a tour during your child’s first appointment to help them settle in.

2. Introduce Them to Dentistry at Home

While you obviously won’t have the same tools as your dentist will, playing pretend dentist with your child can help them get used to the process and make it feel more like a game when they do have an appointment. There are likely even play sets that feature dentist equipment that make realistic noises, which can make children feel more used to the sounds rather than shocked by them.

3. Take Your Child to the Dentist As Soon As Possible

Some parents may be surprised that their child should be going to the dentist at the age of one or sooner. This is because it allows the dentist to carefully monitor their progress and identify any behaviors that could damage or shift their teeth as they’re coming in. The sooner you take them and get them used to the dentist, the better.

4. Make Going to the Dentist an Event

Kids love activities, so making a trip to the dentist an event can make the whole appointment much more enjoyable for a child. This may include playing dentist-related games before going, having a fun drive, or doing something fun after the appointment, so they’ll grow to expect that and associate the dentist with fun.

5. Actively Work With Your Dentist for Better Results

Does your dentist tell you that your child was scared or anxious? Work with them to find solutions. For example, you may recommend that your dentist demonstrate how tools work (tell-show-do), or even give your child a choice over the flavor of toothpaste used for cleanings, or you may consider bringing your toothbrush and toothpaste from home.

Make Dentistry Fun With Sprout Kids Dentistry

Are you looking for experts offering pediatric dentistry in Boston that emphasize better oral health and a more comfortable dental experience for children? Sprout Kids Dentistry in Quincy, Massachusetts, is here to make your child’s dental appointments less scary and more exciting with a collaborative, playful, comfortable approach. Please schedule an appointment with us today!

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