How to Protect Your Teeth

3 Ways You Can Make A Visit To The Dentist Exciting For Your Child

It is natural for a child to feel hesitant, and even a bit scared, when they are experiencing something for the first time. It is your job as their parent to do all that you can to make your child feel comfortable in these situations. One situation where your child may feel a bit of anxiety is on their first trip to the dentist. Thankfully, there are things that you can do to make a visit to the dentist something that is new and exciting for your child. This article will discuss 3 ways that you can do this.

Play Pretend Dentist At Home

Just as children like to play pretend school before they actually begin attending school, they will likely enjoy playing pretend dentist at home before they actually go. You can begin by pretending that you are the dentist and they are the patient, so that they can understand what will take place during their appointment. Then, you can let them be the dentist, so they can see just how fun the job can be. When they actually go to the dentist, they will feel more prepared and will have a good idea of what their appointment will entail.

Create A Dental Report Card

About a month or so before your child is scheduled to visit the dentist, you can create a dental report card for them. This report card can give them points or grades depending on how often they brush, how often they floss, how well they do both of these things, and more. You can offer your child a reward at the end of each week or every other week, if they do well with one or more of these things. You can also offer them rewards for behaving well at the dentist, being cavity free, etc. This will motivate them not only to take care of their teeth, but will make the dentist more exciting.

Let Them Dress Up

If your child sees the dentist as a fun activity, they are going to want to go. Telling your child that they can dress up to go to the dentist is a great way to make the dentist more fun. For example, you can tell them that they are a super hero who is making an important trip to the dentist to protect their teeth. They can dress in their favorite superhero costume, and will feel very happy and important during their visit. 

Contact an office like DSW Dental to learn more.


Share