Getting your child to the dentist could be the biggest task of the day, week, or even your entire month. But did you know that YOUR attitude regarding the dentist and talk about the dentist can really affect the curiosity and willingness of your little one? We have a few ways to get your kids excited about the dentist. 

Set their expectations.

Good things come from being proactive versus reactive. The American Academy of General Dentistry suggests taking your child to the dentist when they cut their first tooth and no later than their 1st birthday.

A lot of your child’s time at the first visit to the dentists are spent getting familiar with the surroundings and sounds. Making sure they’re comfortable and that you’re making it a fun experience! It can seem a little scary at first, so show them there’s nothing to worry about. 

Leave your own bad feelings and experiences in the past.

Dentistry has changed tremendously in the last decade – and for the better! Do not talk about your own bad experiences with your little ones. There have been so many advances in dentistry. Talking about how bad it used to hurt to get a filling before this new technology came along will help nobody.

Treat them afterward!

There are always rewards for children when they do something correctly. No matter the task, whether it’s potty training, chores, eating all of their veggies, or simply cleaning up their toys, rewards go along way to promote good behavior. It’s okay to use this method for visiting the dentist – as long as it is gone over in a positive way. Words of affirmation or even small materialistic prizes are great to motivate anyone, and it will make them excited for the next trip in!

Prevent future problems.

Make sure that you’re promoting good dental habits. Preventing cavities (and therefore fillings) will make the trip to the dentist smoother, quicker, and a little less painful. Plus, having a routine at home for oral hygiene is a good foundation for children to get excited about the dentist. The reward method helps in this area.

With just a few simple steps good experiences are built for your child to have a good outlook on visiting the dentist. Plus, we have a Board Certified Pediatric Dentist here at SFD that can help make your child’s visit to the dentist educational – and FUN! You’ll get your kids excited about the dentist in no time. 

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