Visiting the dentist can be an intimidating experience for children. It can even become a phobia that will negatively impact dental care later in life, which is why you should help them overcome their fear early. The staff at Keiki Dental in Ewa Beach, HI, understand why your child may be afraid of visiting a children’s dentist and offer tips to help.

3 Ways to Help Your Child Get Over Their Fear of the Dentist

1. Practice at Home

You want your child to associate the dentist with good health. Play dentist at home to educate them about how a children’s dentist helps them with oral hygiene. Through familiarization in a comfortable environment, they’ll become more receptive to dental care. Role-playing can also alleviate any previous fears they may have held on to from earlier checkups.

2. Lead by Example

Your children put an immense amount of trust in you. If they see that you aren’t afraid, they won’t be as worried about visiting a children’s dentist. Before their visit, schedule your own, preferably at the same office they’ll be visiting. If allowed, have your child sit in on your appointment for a little while. Once they see how calm you are while the dentist gently cleans your teeth, they’ll be more willing to give the dentist a chance.

3. Stay Positive

Children are extremely sensitive to language, even if they only know basic vocabulary. Unfamiliar words like “cavities” will still scare them when said in a negative tone. Stick with an upbeat attitude when role-playing and leading up to their visit to the children’s dentist. Your cheer will spread to them, and they’ll go into their checkup with optimism rather than fear.

Seeing a specialized children’s dentist will encourage your child to embrace dental care and feel comfortable with regular visits. Keiki Dental’s board-certified pediatric dentist and his staff create a welcoming environment for children while also instilling proper dental care habits. Call (808) 680-9411 today to schedule an appointment. Visit their website to learn more about their services.