How to Prepare Your Child for a Dentist Visit
If you’ve had to undergo extensive dental work, it’s possible to pass anxiety about a trip to the dentist to your child. The Cincinnati family dentists at Hardin Advanced Dentistry pride themselves on providing gentle, empathetic care for patients of any age, including children.
Just like good oral hygiene, it’s best to prevent fear of the dentist office starting at home. If you and your child are visiting your family dentist for a routine examination or cleaning, you might consider talking to him/her about:
- The usual steps of a checkup or cleaning, being careful not to mention pain or discomfort.
- Why it’s important to have the dentist check on the health of our teeth and gums, reaffirming the brushing and flossing regimen you’ve instilled in your son or daughter.
- How friendly the dentist, hygienists and other staff members are (visiting the office twice yearly will make your child more familiar and comfortable with the people working there).
Another way to ease your child into the dental visit routine is to have him/her accompany you to a healthy cleaning appointment, allowing the child to see how the procedures take place firsthand. After this visit, most children really look forward to having a visit of their own.
By focusing on positives, you can help your child have a favorable view of the dentist. Showing your child why he/she doesn’t have to be scared of the dentist can instill a positive attitude about dental health that could persist into adulthood.
If you live in the Cincinnati area and you’re looking for a family dentist who can help your child care for his/her teeth without fear, please contact Hardin Advanced Dentistry or call 513-398-4448 today to schedule an appointment.
