Making a Trip to the Dentist Less Stressful for your Child


With young children, sometimes it is hard to get them to go to the dentist. It is not surprise. It is even hard for some adults to lean back in the chair at the dentist’s office. But, there is hope for this situation. With a little time and convincing, your child will understand that a visit to the dentist isn’t a scary experience. Here are some helpful tips to ease your child into a dental visit.


Before you go to the dentist, inform your child that the dentist is just going to keep his or her teeth clean and healthy. Many times children believe the dentist will hurt them. Reinforce the idea that the dentist will only help them keep their teeth clean, just like brushing their teeth. Let them know that sometimes it feels good, but sometimes it does not feel good. It is important that you do not say the words hurt or pain. Many dentists keep kids at ease by providing toys for their waiting areas. This helps children relax and eliminates some of the fear before they climb into the chair.


A pediatric dentist knows how to deal with your children and first time visits. Often times you may just think of your normal dentist. There are dentists that strictly deal with child patients. There are multiple ways to calm your child. A dentist may allow a toy, or headphones to block out the noise. Others have video capability in their offices. But, it is best for the child to see a pediatric dentist.


Lastly, inform your child ahead of time that a dental visit is coming up. Remind them that all of their friends and family going to the dentist on a regular basis. It is important for the child to understand the repetition of the dental visits. It will be easier each time you visit.

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At SensoryEdge our focus is to educate, inform, and inspire each person caring for children to be and do their very best. It is not always easy and sometimes we don't take action (or we take the wrong action) because of a lack of understanding the real issues. We hope that the conversations that occur here will help in some small way better the lives of children, their families, and the professionals who work with them. We are always looking for valuable contributions to our site so if you are interested in becoming a contributor contact us.