Five Ways to Support Positivity for Pediatric Dentistry Appointments
Taking your kids to the dentist can be a challenging endeavor. Large machinery, pointy tools, and bright lights can make dental offices seem intimidating to kids who don't understand the purpose of this equipment.
Further, children often struggle to sit still for long periods of time, and appointments of all kinds can be difficult for them. Fear, impatience, and nerves can lead to poor behavior and temper tantrums, which disrupt dental care and can prevent it from being provided.
Despite the struggles that come from taking kids to the dentist, parents can help turn the experience around for the whole family. There are five steps parents can take to support positivity for pediatric dentistry appointments: encourage questions, explain the “why” behind services, make it a family event, incorporate a reward, and lead by example.
1. Encourage Questions
With all of the unknowns of a dental visit, young children might become curious. They might have questions in anticipation of or during appointments, especially concerning dental tools and equipment. Encouraging your children to ask you any questions they have can help ease their fears about what they do not know.
By turning visits into learning experiences, children can feel more involved in the process. Instead of feeling like the whole experience is happening to them, they can feel like they are a part of it. Things that initially seemed big and scary can become interesting and exciting.
One way to start this process is by asking your children what questions they have on the car ride to the appointment. Instead of arriving feeling completely unprepared, this will help them feel a little more at ease upon arrival. During the appointment, continue to encourage questions so that they feel informed and safe throughout the experience.
2. Explain the “Why” Behind Pediatric Dental Services
To further ease your children’s nerves, you can also explain the reasoning behind dental services and why they are important. Understanding both what is happening and why it is happening can help kids feel better about the visit.
For example, if your child is receiving an oral cleaning, they might initially feel scared, uncomfortable, or resistant to trusting the dentist. Explaining to them that oral cleanings help dentists to remove trapped germs and prevent cavities shows them there is a logical reason for the service. It helps them to understand that the dentist is there to help them.
At Family Dental Health Center, we prioritize communication and simplicity when it comes to tools and procedures. Our team of dentists takes great care to explain what they are doing and why it is important to help children feel as calm as possible.
3. Make It a Family Event
Another way to make pediatric dentistry appointments more enjoyable is to turn them into an experience for the whole family. Instead of making the day just about your children’s appointments, you can schedule yours for the same day and reframe the dentist as a family event. This can also decrease anxiety and show them how normal it is to go to the dentist.
We allow children and parents to sit in on each other’s appointments to provide comfort to families. By letting your kids watch your appointment, you can help them see what a procedure is like. And when you sit in on theirs, you can help provide support and distraction.
We strive to create a warm, fun, and calming environment for your kids. From our bright walls to our friendly care, we want every member of your family to have a positive experience with us.
4. Incorporate a Reward
Providing your kids with a reward after the visit is another great way to enhance their experience. For some kids, going to the dentist means sitting still for way longer than normal or facing their fears. Letting them know that they did a good job encourages them and reinforces positive feelings about the dentist.
One example of this is giving your kids something to look forward to when the visit is over. This could be a small treat, a surprise, or a family meal out to eat. Another example could be an event to look forward to later in the week, such as a family trip to the aquarium.
Telling them about the reward beforehand can provide a distraction, encourage good behavior, and give your child something to be excited about during the visit.
5. Lead by Example
Just like your kids watch you when they sit with you in your appointments, they watch you at home as well. When you demonstrate healthy oral hygiene, you encourage them to do the same. You can teach them how to maintain good habits by setting an example.
A great way to help your children develop healthy routines is to have your own. They can follow in your footsteps with their own routines, maybe even brushing their teeth or flossing at the same time as you. The more consistent you are, the easier it will be for your kids to be consistent as well.
Pediatric Dentistry in Idaho Falls
At Family Dental Health Center in Idaho Falls, we encourage people of all ages to practice good oral health. We offer a wide variety of pediatric services, including oral cleanings, fluoride treatments, x-rays, and more. Regularly getting your teeth checked is important from a young age, and we can help with maintenance, problem-solving, and prevention of future issues.
Call us today to schedule a pediatric dentistry appointment so we can create a positive dental experience for your whole family.