Visiting a dentist has always been a nightmare. And this is even more so with kids as they get scared easily. Dental anxiety is very common and the phobia associated with it is very real. You do not want dental anxiety to stop your kids from seeking valuable treatment when they become adults.
Familiarizing them with the dentist and making the visits as pleasant as possible are some of the ways you can remove the anxiety associated with dental visits. One thing to note is, it is very important to take them to the dentists at a young age so that they can get accustomed to receiving dental treatments better.
In this article, we discuss the different ways to make your little ones visit the children’s dentists NYC.
Things you can do to make your kids visit the children’s dentist NYC
Taking them to the dentist should become a regular habit and we have listed simple ways of familiarizing them with dentists and the dentistry center.
- Speak Positively about the dentist
Your kids may worry about going to the dentists and would have heard scary stories from their peers. The fear of the unknown would be giving them their fright. So, speak to your children and talk to them about the importance of visiting the dentist and how dentists can help them have healthy teeth and bright smiles
- Plan a meet and greet with the dentist
When taking your child to the dentist for the first time, schedule an appointment with the pediatric team so that they can be introduced to the dentists. Give them a tour of the dental clinic so that they are more comfortable in these surroundings.
- Talk about experiences
Parents shouldn’t downplay their children’s anxiety and instead talk about their own experience visiting the dentist. They can talk about their experiences in a positive light and how it helped them have better teeth and oral hygiene in their adult life
- Go through the steps of the dental visit with your kids beforehand
Inform your kids about the dental visit as much as possible. Take them through the different steps and the procedures followed in a dental clinic. This way they will know what to expect from their dental visit and you will be diminishing the fear of the unknown. Do not talk about the intense dental treatments with detailed dental information with them or in front of them.
- Pack smart
Pack a few of your child’s favorite toys and games that will keep them calm and distracted when necessary. Your child’s favorite stuffed animal or video game will distract them from the unfamiliar surroundings and instead focus their attention on something they are already familiar with.
- Arrange for sedation dentistry when needed
Children get extremely anxious in the dentists chair and dentists themselves might recommend sedation dentistry which allows for the dental procedure to proceed smoothly freeing you up to check on your other kids.
- Use positive reinforcement
This is a helpful tactic. You can incentivize the dental visit by rewarding your kids after they complete the dental checkup with their favorite things. This will create a goal oriented mindset and your children will look forward to completing the dental visit without much fuss.
- Read kid’s books about the dentist to your little ones
Another great way to familiarize your kids with dentists is by reading books on them. There are many fun books and stories written on dentists that are not only informative but also make for a nice read. This will benefit your kids in many ways and they will have an idea of the dental check up.
- Role Play with them
Kids love role play and imaginative games. By role playing with them they can use their imagination which keeps them entertained. Kids can play the role of the dentist where they come and check your mouth. This is a constructive way of giving them information on dentists and keeping them engaged.
These are some of the things you can do to make your kid’s dental visit as pleasant as possible. Taking them to pediatric dentists is absolutely necessary to have the best oral hygiene and to also receive preventive treatments
Conclusion
Pediatric dentistry is that specialization of dentistry that deals with children in their formative years. As kids grow two sets of teeth in their lifetime pediatric orthodontics is necessary to take proactive action so that your children’s teeth do not grow crooked overcrowding their mouth.
New York Dental Clinic is the most sought after multispecialty dental clinic where we have the best pediatric dentists who are great at handling kids and will make the dental visit as pleasant as possible for them. Our dental staff too are well versed in kids dentistry and will keep your kids happy when they come visit us. So, if you want the best dental care for your kids then schedule your next appointment with us and watch your kids smile with happiness.