In order for children's teeth to be healthy and beautiful, as all parents want, it is important to regularly go with the kids for a check-up to the dentist and eliminate any problems in the oral cavity in time. Therefore, the task of moms and dads is a positive psychological attitude of the child. It is quite possible to ensure that children are not afraid of the dentist and are calm about dental manipulations, if you approach this issue correctly.
The main mistakes of parents
The reason for the fear of the dentist may be the indecisive nature of the baby, the parents' fear of the dentist, or the fear of the baby in front of any person in a white coat if he has already had a negative experience of treatment. Nevertheless, quite often the fear of visiting the dental office appears in a child due to mistakes made by his parents. These include the following situations:
- The child "gets acquainted" with the dentist, when he already has a problem with his teeth, for example, a tooth began to ache.
- Parents do not pay attention to motivation for treatment... They don't tell you why go to the doctor or why maintaining oral health is so important.
- Violence is used in dental treatment for example, a tooth needs to be filled, the child is pulled out and has to be physically restrained to get a filling.
- The child comes to the doctor at an uncomfortable time for himfor example, when he usually has a nap or is already tired.
- Parents deceive the baby that the doctor "will not do anything", but in fact a painful procedure awaits him.
Using the game
Games in childhood are an important tool for learning about the world. Wherein in children playing everything is perceived as more positive... And this should be used if you want to change the attitude of the crumbs to some phenomenon or event, including to the treatment at the dentist.
Together with your child, you can "treat teeth" to a teddy bear or doll. Play a situation in which the bear has a bad toothache, and the child will be a dentist and help a gentle “friend”. Putting himself in the place of the doctor, the baby will understand that the doctor does not want to hurt the patient and make him feel bad, but quite the opposite, wants to help.
You can also play a dental clinic when the baby is a patient and the mother plays the role of the doctor. Such reproduction in a playful way will help to reduce the anxiety of the child before visiting a real doctor.
A similar effect will also result watching cartoons, in which situations are shown related to dental treatment and maintenance of oral health. They present information in such a way that kids are not afraid of dentists.
Reward
Many parents use promises of a certain reward to convince their children to go to the dentist, for example, buying a toy or fulfilling a baby's wish. One side, it can really help the little one overcome fear and endure a visit to the dental clinic without tears. However, there are times when children begin to manipulate and beg for more and more gifts.
Psychologists agree that directly encouraging dental treatment with a new toy or favorite treat is not a good idea. The child should understand that going to the dentist is important first of all for the sake of health. By emphasizing that regular visits to the doctor will eliminate dental pain or help to smile without problems, although parents spend more effort, they do the right thing in the long run.
First visit
It is best that the first visit to a tiny dental office was not for treatment, but only as an introductory event.
Go with your child to the clinic and examine everything there, including the dental equipment. Let the baby talk to the clinic staff and just sit in the chair, and after such an excursion, give the baby something pleasant.
After that, for the second time, the child will no longer worry, but will come to a familiar place to the people he has already seen. On the second visit, you can offer the child to brush the doctor's teeth with delicious pasta, and then again present the baby with some kind of gift. So you will secure a positive attitude of the baby towards dentists.
Watch a helpful video on coaxing your child into dental treatment.
Own example
One of the ways to show the child that visiting the dentist is important and that there is nothing wrong with it is through the personal example of the parents. Go to the doctor with your child so that the baby can see how the doctor examines and treats your teeth. At the same time, your mood should be vigorous and festive, and after the visit, you should show the baby how strong and healthy your teeth have become.
If a tooth hurts
When a child suffers from a toothache, there is no time to get to know the dentist and a long-term positive attitude, so you have to act quickly. Tell your little one a story about a sick tooth that only a doctor can cure. Don't be fooled that the treatment will be easy and painless. Better say that the discomfort will go away quickly and the tooth will recover.
Tips
- It is best to go with your child to the dentist in the morning. If the visit is scheduled for a later time, the baby will “wind up” himself and will be more capricious in the doctor's office.
- Do not discuss on the way to the doctor what kind of manipulations will be carried out with the teeth. It is better to switch the attention of the crumbs to neutral topics that can cheer up the child.
- Pay a lot of attention to the choice of clinic and dentist to find a competent specialist, who has extensive experience in treating young patients.
- Try not to get nervous yourselfwhen you are going to treat your teeth with your child or tell your baby about the dental office. Children are sensitive to the parents' anxiety and take over their anxiety.
- When the child leaves the office, be sure to praise the baby for courage and emphasize that the baby's teeth have become healthier and stronger. Let the baby talk if the baby is overwhelmed with emotions and wants to share them.
- Take your child to the dentist regularly. If the baby visits this doctor's office twice a year, he will calmly endure any manipulations in case of urgent need.
- Do not discuss the treatment of your own teeth with your child and do not use dental terms in conversation so as not to frighten the baby. Also, you should not say the words "pull out" or "drill". It is better to replace them with the words "clean", "look", "treat".
- Never scare your baby with a visit to the dentist. It is unacceptable to threaten a child to go to dental treatment if he does not obey and, for example, begs for sweets.
- If the child has not agreed to be examined and treated, you can not scold the baby or punish him. This can only worsen the situation.
Watch the following video about dental care and treatment with a crumb.
