A regularly scheduled teeth cleaning appointment can help keep your child's mouth clean and healthy. If your young one has a phobia of the dentist, however, a simple trip to the office can turn into a much larger ordeal. While sedation dentistry is an option, it is best to help your child overcome their fears. The experts at Family First Dentistry in Anchorage, AK, do their best to calm anxious nerves. With years of pediatric experience, they recommend the following tips to help your young one overcome their apprehension.

Play Pretend

Long before a teeth cleaning appointment arrives, act out a visit to the dentist in an imaginative play session with your child. Have your little one pretend to be the dentist and look inside your mouth, then swap roles and do the same back to them. This will help your child associate the dentist with something fun, as well as get them accustomed to having their teeth inspected.

Use Positive Vocabulary

Avoid using the words “shot,” “pain,” “hurt,” or “ouch” when talking about the dentist with your child. Also, try to be conscious about dental conversations with adults while your child is around. If you have negative body language or an unfavorable tone in your voice, your young one can pick up on this nuance and learn from it. Always use positive words about a teeth cleaning visit. Tell them they are going to have good, strong teeth and the dentist wants to see their pretty smile. Positivity will help your child overcome their inner fears.

Read Books About the Dentist

Much like playing pretend, reading books about the dentist can make your child look forward to future visits. When your little one has questions about their teeth cleaning appointment, you can easily refer to the story. Imagining other characters in the same setting will reassure your child they have nothing to fear.

If your child has a fear of the dentist, try a few different techniques to help reverse their negative perception. Family First Dentistry in Anchorage, AK, has long provided pediatric and adult dental services, and they can create a positive atmosphere for all. For more information, visit their website or call (907) 562-2820 today.