If you have a child who is afraid of going to the dentist, you are not alone. Let’s face it; there are many adults that find the dental office to be an intimidating environment. The sights, sounds and even smell of a dental office can create anxiety in many patients. At Soft Touch Dentistry, we go out of our way to change the way kids (and adults) view dental care. Our office environment is comfortable, inviting and includes a variety of kid-friendly amenities. However, your child’s anxiety can be significantly lowered if you prepare them for the dentist in the right way. How you speak to your child about his or her upcoming appointment is more important than you may think.  Once you’ve arrived at our office, we will gladly take it from there.

How do you talk to your child about the dentist? Believe it or not, there is a right and wrong way.  Here are some rules to keep in mind:

Don’t get too specific.
Your kids don’t need elaborate details, as this can often add to their stress and anxiety. They certainly do not need to know what happens if they get a cavity. Give them a brief and kid-friendly explanation about what a dentist will do at their routine appointment, such as cleaning their teeth, taking a picture of their mouth or counting their teeth.

Keep it positive.
Perhaps the biggest mistake parents make is saying, “the dentist won’t hurt,” or “you will not feel pain.” It is best to avoid negative words altogether. In addition, those statements could backfire if your child were to need a minor dental procedure in the future.

Avoid a bribe.
This is not to be strict on your child. However, the mention of a bribe or reward, such as “you can have a milkshake if you are good,” not only puts pressure on your child, but it also suggests that there will be a situation that is difficult to endure.

Consider pretend play.
This works really well for younger kids. Have fun playing dentist and patient with your son or daughter so they can feel comfortable with the upcoming experience.

Stop by for a visit.
It may help to bring your child by our office for a tour and chat with our dental team before you schedule your appointment. In many cases, children are excited to come back to visit us after they’ve experience the warmth and comfort of our office environment.

At Soft Touch Dentistry, we proudly offer complete dental care for your entire family. We are happy to help your child overcome his or her fear of the dentist because we believe these early visits are essential to setting your child up for a lifetime of healthy smiles!