As a parent, you strive to protect your child’s oral health, and one of the ways to go about this is to maintain regular visits with your children’s dentist in South Windsor. The problem is dental visits can sometimes be upsetting for . Is there anything that can be done to ease the anxiety and better prepare your little one for his or her first appointment? Read on to get some helpful tips!
Why Dental Care Visits are Important
For several reasons, it’s worth the effort to make your child feel more comfortable about an upcoming visit. Here are some of the benefits of preventive care:
- Your dentist can assess your child’s oral development to make sure everything is on schedule.
- Steps can be taken to prevent bacteria accumulation. One such option is to have dental sealants placed that make it harder for bacteria to cling to the back teeth.
- Any plaque or tartar that have accumulated will be removed to prevent any dental health issues like cavities or gum disease.
To get to a space where your child can receive these and other benefits, you first need to help him or her feel more comfortable about the process.
Tip #1 – Explain the Role of the Dentist
Children are like sponges; they’re able to soak up a lot of information. Thus, it never hurts to take a moment to explain the significant role the dentist plays in maintaining their oral health.
Here’s an approach to consider: try being a little creative by describing bacteria as scary monsters that aim to attack the teeth and gums. You can then explain how the helpful dentist is there to protect your child’s oral health.
Tip #2 – Make an Unofficial Visit
Another way to ease anxieties about an upcoming appointment is to take your child in for an unofficial visit. Through this route, your child can become more acquainted with the facility and the friendly staff.
Therefore, at the first official visit, he or she can feel more comfortable.
Tip #3 – Offer a Fun Reward
While some people would refer to offering a reward to your child for visiting the dentist as bribery, it could be viewed as a form of helpful encouragement. If your child attends an appointment because there is the allure of either a gift, a trip to their favorite gaming center or some other treat, it’s for a worthy cause – to make consistent dental visits a habit that migrates into adulthood.
Tip #4 – Use Positive Language
Like most children, your child may be a little sensitive. So when it comes to talking about dental visits, it’s important to use upbeat and positive language.
By taking this approach, there’s a lesser chance of your child getting “cold feet” about the upcoming visit.
Tip #5 – Feed Your Child a Filling Breakfast
One of the biggest challenges for younger children is being still for any prolonged period of time. However, when you feed your child a wholesome breakfast before the appointment, there is a greater chance of having a pleasant visit.
The first step to establishing excellent dental care habits for your little one is to reach out to your dentist in South Windsor to schedule the first visit today. With the expert care your child will receive, he or she will be off to an excellent oral health start!
About the Author
Dr. Sara E. Curcio earned her dental degree from the University of Connecticut School of Dental Medicine. Throughout her career, she has been dedicated to providing the best in care for patients of all ages. Dr. Curcio especially enjoys helping children get off to an excellent oral health start at South Windsor Dental, and she can be reached for more information through her website.