Taking your child to the doctor is stressful in itself. The examination room, the metallic instruments and the white coat can sometimes be worrying for your child.
As parents, your child can be anxious and aggressive, no matter how much you try to comfort them. However, regular visits to the dentist are important from an early age. Because if undetected and untreated dental problems persist, they can be dangerous for your child’s dental health.
Today, there are a variety of dental treatments that cater to pedodontic treatments and have the latest technologies.
So, what are the factors to consider to make your child’s visit to the dentist go smoothly?
-Starting dental visits at an early age
Start the visits as early as possible so that your child learns what the dentist’s job really is and what they are being treated for. These visits can start as early as 3 years of age. Even if there is nothing wrong with your child’s mouth, familiarisation visits can be a good preparation for the next visit or treatment appointment.
-Treat it as a routine process
Do not make a visit to the dentist a big task. Maintain a positive attitude about the upcoming visit and, if necessary, go to your own dental appointments with your child and your partner to encourage them. However, only let your child see you until the moment you sit in the chair
-Do not interfere with the dentist during examination and treatment.
Do not be overly anxious or impatient after entering the examination room. Let the dentist use his or her own methods to establish and develop a dialogue with your child. As a parent, it is reassuring to stay with your child. You can ask to be in the examination room for moral support, but do not interfere in the doctor’s area. However, if the doctor asks for your help, help as much as you are asked
-The importance of oral and dental health
Explain to your child the importance of good dental hygiene and how beneficial it is to look after your teeth and your mouth in general. Once he realises this, he will be less anxious.
-Avoid bribery
Do not tell your child about possible treatments when they visit the dentist. This will only increase his/her anxiety. Promising gifts in exchange for treatment can be the wrong message. Instead, praise your child for good behaviour and courage at the dentist.
-Last but not least
Anticipate that there may be some fear and crying at the dentist and remain calm and patient. Do not shout or get angry at your child in front of the doctor. Maintain a calm, positive attitude during the examination and treatment. Understand that if necessary, the child may leave the chair at the first appointment without any procedure and that this is normal. There should be no more than two appointments without any treatment. If communication with the child is not possible for various reasons, the doctor can discuss options such as treatment under general anaesthesia.