Children can fear the dentist for many reasons, can you remember visiting the dentist for the first time when you were young? It’s a scary experience! Everything is new and the dentist and nurse are strangers.

If your child is nervous about coming in for an appointment here are some tips to make the experience less stressful for them.

Use positive language

Try to avoid using any negative words when discussing the appointment, don’t mention ‘pain’ or ‘hurt’ when explaining what they will feel during the appointment. Using positive phrases like ‘clean healthy teeth’ or ‘count your teeth and check your smile’ can make the experience a good thing.

Good Role Models

Children are very perceptive and can pick up on your own feelings towards the dentist. When you are discussing your own appointments around them stay positive! If you are nervous about the dentist they will pick that up too, try and overcome your fears to show your children there is nothing to worry about. If you have older children, use them as examples, bring the younger child to their appointments or to your appointment if you’re able to.

Also, outside the dental practice, make sure you spend time stressing the importance of great oral hygiene! Let them see you brushing, flossing and practicing what the dentist tells you. They will learn from you and be on their way to feeling positive about going to appointments.

Make it fun

Bring books, toys, games etc. when attending an appointment, we can take short pauses to let your child play with their toys if that helps them relax. We could turn the appointment into a game and get them involved in fighting off the “sugar bugs”. Our dentists, nurses and reception staff will be around to keep your children entertained and relaxed.

Picture books with detailed illustrations and easy-to-understand language can also help children get a sense of what to expect and there are loads out there with their favourite characters; Peppa Pig, Dora the Explorer and more.

Start them young

Did you know that you should bring your child to the dentist when their first teeth start to appear or around 1 year old? This allows them to become familiar with the environment and get to know your dentist. Dentists will also give you advice on how to prevent decay and how to identify any oral health issues at an early stage. When a little older we recommend bringing them in for regular check-ups.

Role play

Before the first dentist appointment, play pretend with your child to be the dentist and the patient, get them to open their mouth or your mouth and count the teeth, get them to sit in a chair that reclines back if you can. Avoid making drilling noises or lining up other “instruments.” Then let your child role-play by using a toothbrush to clean the teeth of a stuffed animal or doll. The key is getting her familiar with the routine so that they are more comfortable for the real appointment.