Monday, July 15, 2013

Ease Your Child's Dental Anxiety



It's not unusual for a child to be scared about going to the dentist or the doctor. Fortunately, there are things you can do to help your child relax, and it starts with your own outlook about dental visits. If you are relaxed about taking your child to the dentist, your child is less likely to be afraid. Your child will absorb the things you say about the dentist (whether positive or negative), and he or she will also pick up on the non-verbal signals you send about visiting the dentist, such as your overall mood, facial expressions, and body language. So think positive dental thoughts about your upcoming visit to SmileDesigner. Your comfort and health are our greatest priorities!

How can you help ease your child's anxiety? First, start young. It is recommended by the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) that a dental visit should occur within six months after the presence of the first tooth or by a child's first birthday. Starting at a young age allows children and parents to establish trust with a dentist and begin a routine of regular dental visits.

As preparation for their appointment, talk to your child in a matter-of-fact way about what will happen at the dentist and answer questions in a straightforward manner. You could also read a book to your child about going to the dentist to help them relax.

Once you are at your appointment, the SmileDesigner team will explain to your child what will happen in child-friendly words. As an Arlington dentist and an Arlington orthodontist, our goal is to help any patient of any age relax in the dental chair so we can deliver the best care! We want you to arrive with a smile and leave with an even bigger smile.

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