How to Help Kids Beat the Fear of the Dentist

Here at Northwest Family Dental, we understand the importance of having our kids overcome the fear of going to the dentist. After all, a child’s teeth need to be nourished and oral hygiene should be taught at a young age. At first it can be challenging, but helping them see dentists as friends and the office as a safe haven is our utmost goal. To help you get started, read more for some tips we give to our happy clients in the Lake Worth, Ft Worth Texas area.

• Teach kids the value of oral hygiene and help them develop dental habits. Around the age of 4 or 5, you can slowly help them how to brush on their own, twice a day for two minutes each time. It’s important that you also help them brush not only in one area, but also around the mouth and tongue and floss once a day. When it comes to their first visit to the dentist, we advise parents to start as early as possible. Many even have their first trip when the first tooth comes out.
• Walk them through the dentist office. Many kids are afraid of the dentist office because of the mystery inside and the idea that it will have scary or painful procedures. To remove this anxiety, parents can play a role play game with their kids called “dentist office.” You can do this by having your kid sit on a recliner or chair in the living room or dining area and pretend to be the dentist. Have him/her open his/her mouth and count the teeth using a tooth brush. You can say that this is what usually happens in the dentist office and that he/she might sometimes feel other sensations like tickles or a bit of poking. Most of all, avoid saying words like “pain,” shot,” or “hurt.”
• Make sure that your kids are in the right mindset before going to the dentist. Try to schedule an appointment not around or after a nap time because kids can get cranky. Also avoid cramming a dentist appointment and school or soccer practice, last day of camp, or dance practice all in one day so they will have enough energy to face both. Lastly, don’t send your kid to the dentist office with an empty stomach.

If you need to have a dental concern treated right away, call us now and schedule an appointment here at Northwest Family Dental. Thank you and have a good day!