3 Ways to Prepare Your Child for the Dentist
As we approach the end of summer the new school year is just around the corner. One of the items on many of your back to school checklists is taking the kids to the dentist. Dentist appointments – even if it’s not the first one – can seem pretty intimidating to kids. There are lots of tools and noises, and people are always talking about being afraid of the dentist. We chatted with Dr. Karim Kanani from SmileTown Dentistry about the best way to prepare your child for the dentist.
Honest talk
“When talking to your children about a dental appointment (especially the first one), don’t go into much detail,” says Dr. Kanani. “Stay positive but be realistic and honest. If you say everything will be fine but then they wind up needing a treatment that scares them, they’ll lose trust in the dentist and in you.”
Be a good (oral health) influence
Dr. Kanani advises parents to keep your fears to yourself. “Demonstrate feeling comfortable with visiting the dentist. If you get scared, anxious or uncomfortable about visiting the dentist, your child may well be able to pick up on it and may develop his or her own anxieties as a result. Stay calm and positive when talking about dentistry when they’re around and avoid making any negative comments or referring to any negative dental experiences you may have had in the past.” Fake it until they make it, really.
Engaging books
The Smiletown Dentistry team pulled together their favourite kids books about visiting the dentist. Reading one or more of these is a good way to prepare your child for the dentist.
Doctor De Seto by William Steig
How Many Teeth? by Paul Showers
The Berenstain Bears Visit the Dentist by Stan & Jan Berenstain
The Tooth Book: A Guide to Healthy Teeth and Gums by Edward Miller
This post is sponsored by SmileTown Dentistry. Each of our cheerful and friendly SmileTown Dentistry offices in the greater Vancouver area is designed especially for children. Your children will love the themed waiting areas and the easy, relaxed care of our pediatric dentists and their dental teams. And, as a parent, you’ll be able to sit back and relax while we delivery quality dental care and great customer service from our likable children’s dentistry team. Whether you’re a new parent starting your first child out on the path of lifelong dental care, or you’re a busy parent looking for a convenient location for all your family’s dental health care needs, SmileTown Dentistry is the right place for you. We look forward to meeting you!
