Three Simple Ways To Make Your Child More Comfortable With The Dentist
Posted on: 15 December 2014
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It can be hard enough to get your child to care enough to even brush their teeth, let alone trying to get them to be happy about going to see a dentist. Most young children are automatically scared of things they are unfamiliar with, and when that unfamiliar thing is a person with strange objects trying to get in their mouth, it can be even worse. It can sometimes be daunting just to get the basic dental care for your child. There are three simple things you can do to make your child more comfortable at the dentist that may help.
Schedule a Basic Visit for Both of You
If you visit a family dentist for the oral care needs of the entire family, it may be a possibility for you and your child to book your appointments together. Make sure you get to go first for a checkup so your child can see that there is nothing to fear while you are getting your teeth cleaned. Just seeing mom or dad go through the visit first may help your little one feel a little more at ease with the checkup.
Opt for a Pediatric Dentist
If your child is very apprehensive about oral care, it may be a good idea to look for a pediatric dentist. When a dentist office deals with children all the time (such as Children's Dental Center Of Central Iowa PLC), they will be setup to be more appealing to kids. The children may get special prizes when they are done with the visit or experience fun games and entertainment while they wait. Furthermore, being in an environment that is filled with other children may make them feel more at ease with the process.
Ask Your Dentist About Anesthesia
Many pediatric dentists offer what is commonly referred to as laughing gas to calm the fears of young patients who may otherwise fight and fuss to make dental care almost impossible. This is a mixture of nitrous oxide and oxygen, inhaled through the nose, that will temporarily sedate your little one so they not only do not feel pain, but will be much more at ease with the whole experience.
You may have always had to drag your child to the dentist's office kicking and screaming before, but with just a few changes you could see a dramatic improvement to how your child reacts to dental care. These three simple changes could get your little one taking small steps toward a healthy smile.