It is not uncommon for children to become anxious when going to the dentist. There are even many adults that feel anxiety when visiting the dentist, so it’s no wonder that children have the same fears. Here are some tips and tricks that might help ease the anxiety and help children get used to the idea of Dentistry in Puyallup WA.
One way to help children not be anxious when going to the dentist is to introduce them to the dentist as early as possible. This might mean taking young children to appointments to get used to the noises, smells and routine of going to the dentist’s office. It is also a great time for the child to watch what happens during an exam and meet the dentist.
Another way to help children understand what is going to happen is to read children books about going to the dentist. Children’s books have a wonderful and simple way of explaining things that adults often have a difficult time doing. Once the child has an idea about what happens at the dentist’s office, it might be helpful to pretend to play dentist at home. Imaginative play for children can be calming and also allows them to verbalize their feelings. This can help prepare the child for how to cope with feelings of anxiety as well.
The next tip is to pick an office of Dentistry in Puyallup WA that specializes in pediatric dental services. Since they specialize in pediatrics, these dentists are experts in dealing with a child’s perspective. Having a positive first experience with a pediatric dentist will make future visits much easier. Another added benefit of going to a pediatric dentist is that they are often affiliated with other networks for pediatric specialist. In the event that other issues comes up, they can quickly refer their patients to the experts they need.
Finally, teaching children at a young age about proper dental hygiene can really help feelings of anxiety. Exposing them as soon as possible to taking care of their teeth will show them that regular dental exams are normal and nothing to be anxious about.
These four tips should help anxious children and make their dental visits much smoother.
