Fear of the family dentist is something many children experience due to issues such as unfamiliar surroundings and metal objects in their mouths. Helping your child overcome their fear of the dentist early is essential to a lifetime of proper dental care. Eschewing the dental chair during adulthood because of youth-related fears can easily result in severe cavities, gingivitis, gum disease, and even bone loss.

Help your child overcome this fear for good with the following tips:

• Use Positive Words: Avoid words that will make your child more fearful, such as “pain” and “hurt.” Emphasize the many positives of visiting the family dentist, such as pink and healthy gums, clean and strong teeth, and beautiful smiles.

• Read Books: There are dozens of children’s books about first dental visits and the importance of oral health that you can read to your kids. Visuals also give your child an idea of what to expect from the dental hygienist and dentist.

• Watch Fun Videos: Use videos starring favorite children’s characters to make dental care fun and help your little one understand that the family dentist is part of this care. MouthHealthy™ Kids from the American Dental Association^® is a great resource.

• Be Okay With Fussiness: Remember it is natural for your child to be a little fussy about the dentist. Simply work with the dental staff to help your child calm down, such as holding the young one’s hand during teeth cleaning or agreeing when the dentist explains a procedure.

• Let Your Child Bring a Toy: Tell your child they can bring a toy to the dentist to hold during the visit. Something familiar, such as a favorite stuffed animal, helps the child relax and stay calm.

Discuss these and other tips for overcoming dental visit fears with the friendly team at 119 Bridge Dental Care in Portland, MI. Dr. Jami Schneider, DDS, offers over 20 years of experience and remains renowned for her gentle approach to dental services. Call (517) 647­-4511 today to schedule an appointment, or visit the website for a list of their services. Like the general dentistry center on Facebook for more great tips.