5 Tips to Help Your Child Stay Calm at The Dentist
By Rachelle Wilber
If you’re like most adults, you get a bit anxious when it’s time for a trip to the dentist. Needless to say, your child does as well, especially if they are very young. Since you know regular dental visits will be crucial for your child in the years ahead, it’s important to learn how to help them stay calm during these appointments. To make sure your child’s trips to the dentist are calm and maybe even fun, here are five tips to try during the next appointment.
1. Bring Something Comforting
If you let your child, bring something with them to the dentist that they find very comforting, this is always a great way to help them stay calm. This can be a favorite blanket or perhaps a stuffed animal, which is always a popular choice. Once your child has their favorite stuffed friend with them, they’ll feel much better.
2. Keep Them Distracted
A distracted child at the dentist’s office is always one who is much calmer before, during, and after their visit. To keep your child distracted in the waiting room, let them play with a toy, video game, or maybe spend time using a coloring book. By getting their mind off of seeing the dentist, they will be much more relaxed.
3. Feed Them Beforehand
As a parent, you know a hungry child is an irritable child. Therefore, feeding them before going to the dentist will always work in your favor. By letting them have something they really like before going to the dentist, they’ll be in a good mood when it’s time to see the dentist.
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4. Stay Calm Yourself
Children are very good at realizing when the adults around them are nervous or anxious. Thus, if you stay calm yourself and spend time laughing and joking with your child while in the waiting room, they will naturally begin to feel more relaxed and learn there’s no reason for them to be worried. It’s also very helpful to see a dentist who works with children often, such as Mill Creek Dental.
5. Level with Them
Finally, children are always scared of the unknown. If your child is old enough to understand, try having an honest conversation with them about why it’s good to visit a dentist regularly, what the dentist will do during their visit, and other things you think are important. If possible, you can ask a staff member at the dental office to help with this as well, since they are quite good at working with nervous kids.
Once you know how to help your child stay calm at the dentist, both you and your child can be more relaxed during their next dental appointment.
About the Author
Bio: Rachelle Wilber is a freelance writer living in the San Diego, California area. She graduated from San Diego State University with her Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism and Media Studies. She tries to find an interest in all topics and themes, which prompts her writing. When she isn’t on her porch writing in the sun, you can find her shopping, at the beach, or at the gym. Follow her on Twitter and Facebook: @RachelleWilber; https://www.facebook.com/people/Rachelle-Wilber/100009221637700/
*Article and profile pic courtesy of Rachelle Wilber
