From the unusual equipment to the unfamiliar environment, many children experience fear and anxiety in the days leading up to their first dental appointment. Fortunately, there are several ways you can calm your young ones and make them feel more at ease. Here are a handful of tips on how to make visiting the dentist less scary for your kids. 

4 Tips on Helping a Child With Their Fear of the Dentist

1. Start While They’re Young

As soon as you notice the emergence of your child’s first tooth, schedule an appointment. Your kids will have a much easier time adjusting to the dental office when you book the initial appointment around their first birthday. They’ll quickly feel at home and even look forward to trips to the dentist. 

2. Practice at Home

Role-playing is an excellent way for kids to process their anxieties about going to the dentist. Walk your child through the basic process, and hold up a mirror to check their teeth. Use a toothbrush on dolls or stuffed animals to demonstrate how the teeth cleaning process works. 

3. Use Positive Language 

When you talk about going to the dentist, avoid using negative terminology, such as “drill” and “pain.” Instead, explain to your kids that dental appointments will make them feel fresh and healthy while improving their smile.

4. Schedule an Office Visit

Before your child’s first official appointment, schedule a tour of the facility. Ask if your child may meet the dentist and hygienist who will be working with them. That way, your kids will recognize the environment and see familiar faces on the day of the appointment. 

When the time comes to take your young ones to the dentist, rely on the office at Dr. Richard Wells Mittelstadt to keep their smiles healthy and sparkling. They offer oral exams, teeth cleaning, whitening, extractions, and implants to clients of all ages throughout Anchorage, AK. Call (907) 272-9214 to schedule an appointment and ask about tips on how to maintain your teeth between visits.