It is quite common for kids to get anxious while going into a new environment. Whether it is their first time at school or a play area or a new house, they always feel a bit scared or uncomfortable. The same goes for their dental visit for the first time. The main fear in them is due to the way these dentists are portrayed on TV and the kind of instruments they use. Fortunately, you got some ways to help a kid agree to a visit to a dentist.
A visit to a Pediatric dentist clinic (คลินิกทำฟันเด็ก, term in Thai) is very important at the initial stage. It is at this age when they need to have their regular dental check-up and teach them the importance of oral hygiene. A good dentist will help you pass on this knowledge to your kid making it easier for you to take care of their oral health.
So how do you convince them to visit a dentist? Here are some simple tips for you.
- Start this visit at an early stage i.e. at the age of 3 to 6 months. If you are frequently visiting a particular place then there are fewer chances of you getting nervous about that place.
The same goes for kids. Make them used to this place so that they feel like it is just a part of their normal life. The same goes for you, avoid skipping your appointment too.
- Take a fun tour of this place. This can be done at the preschool or nursery where the kids can be taken to this dental clinic for a fun tour and get educated about their tools, talk to nurses, and learn about dental hygiene. This will make them familiar with this environment.
- Clear out any negative thoughts that they have about the dentist. This starts with you. Avoid saying any negative words that you might by-mistakenly say in front of the kids. Kids usually react to things in the way parents react. So, if you are negative, they will be negative too.
- You can play a pretend dentist game at home. This will make them acquainted with the environment and the tools used in the dental clinic.
In playtime, you can also explain to them about the dental procedure but in a way not to make them scared.
- Go a little early to the clinic. This will give you enough time to complete the application formalities and then take a stroll around with your kid showing them off the place. This is to make them familiar with the environment and to lower their stress level.
- Keep your calm. You can enjoy some soothing music on your way to the office. This will lighten up their mood. You can also bring along your favourite toy from home while visiting the dentist’s office.
Most importantly, keep their stomach filled and make them have enough sleep so that they are refreshed. This will lower the chances of them getting irritated or throwing tantrums. In many cases, you can also take help from the dentist to make things more comfortable for your kid.
