Every child needs to go to the dentist to keep their teeth happy and healthy. However, going to the dentist can sometimes be scary for kids (and adults, too!). Fortunately, there are a few ways you can make going to the dentist a more fun experience for your kids.
Read to Them About What They Can Expect
One of the best things for you to do is to read to your children about what they can expect. Doing this can help them to prepare themselves mentally for the process. As a result, they’re likely to have an easier time when they need to get to the dentist’s office. It’s also a good idea to read to your children about teeth and oral health in general. This might make it clear for them that going to the dentist is an important part of maintaining proper oral health, which might motivate them to visit the dentist more willingly. Note that according to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, 42% of children aged between two and 11 years old have had cavities in their primary teeth. This means that you need to take extra care to ensure your children don’t end up with a similar issue and the first step is to make them comfortable with dental visits.
Give Them an Activity to Do During the Appointment
To help them avoid overthinking the issue, you should find a fun activity for your children to do during their appointment with the dentist. This way, they’re less likely to associate dental visits only with negative activities. Remember that your child should visit an orthodontist by the time they reach seven years of age, according to the American Association of Orthodontics. That said, find age-appropriate activities for your child, from coloring to crafting, and avail the materials that they need for this during the appointment. When you do, you can be sure that their dental appointment will have some highlights that make it easier for them to agree to go next time without too much of a fuss.
Make a Celebration Out of It
Another way in which you can make going to the dentist more fun for your children is by making the activity into a celebration. This may involve taking them to their favorite eatery or something similar. You could treat them to something that they rarely have and that they enjoy, such as a fancy pizza. Keep in mind that a traditional Italian Margherita pizza has three toppings, which are cheese, basil, and tomato sauce, according to A Couple Cooks. This is something that’s going to be delicious for your kids and that won’t be bad for teeth and so it’s welcome. If you can get your kids to enjoy their dental visits by following them up with a celebratory event, they’ll actually look forward to the event rather than hate it.
Stay Positive
Finally, keep in mind that your child will typically reflect your mood. This means that if you’re anxious and wound up about the visit and during the appointment, your child is likely to pick up on it as well. That said, try to stay positive and maintain an upbeat mood throughout the process. This will make the event a lot better for all parties involved, including the dentist who’s going to have an easier time when your child is relaxed.
Use these tips to make dental visits more fun for your kids. Doing so may give them the right foundation for a bright oral health future. They’ll remember the positive associations with dental visits for years to come and might have an easier time keeping up with proper oral health.
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