Visiting the dentist is a first that every child will need to face at some point, but it doesn't need to be a stressful experience if you take the time to get them ready for the visit. Not only should you speak to your child softly about what to expect, but you should also use some of the following tips to help provide them with the best experience.

Bring Them Along to Your Dental Appointments

The first time your child visits the dentist can be overwhelming for them, so it may be helpful to get them familiar with the dental clinic before their own appointment. The best way to do this is by bringing your child along when you're getting cleaning done.

Making sure to bring them along for only routine cleanings, can help give your child the confidence they need to be comfortable at the dentist and the chance to get familiar with the dentist and dental assistants there.  

Associate Positive Words with the Dentist

While you may be tempted to explain everything they should expect at the dentist to your child, it's a good idea to keep in mind that a positive attitude is vital. What this means is that you should avoid using words such as 'pain', 'needles', or even 'uncomfortable'. By skipping these negative words and using positive words instead, your child won't have anything to fear at their first appointment.

Make it a Habit to Brush and Floss with Your Child

The number one reason why some dental visits go poorly is because of bad dental hygiene. By practicing good dental health with regular brushing and flossing, it's likely that your child won't need any extensive dental work done and that the visit will be entirely pain-free.

Prioritize Dental Offices with Child-Friendly Distractions

Most dental clinics that treat children have several activities set up in the waiting room and patient rooms to keep them distracted. Allowing your child to relax by watching TV at the clinic, bringing along their own music, or even providing some toys they can play with will do wonders at reducing any stress. If you're still on the search for a new dentist, look for clinics with these distractions in mind.

With how unfamiliar a visit to the dentist can be for a child, it makes sense why you may be nervous how your child will react to their visit to the dentist. Instead of allowing it to be scary for them, make sure to prepare them with these tricks for curbing anxiety over dental visits.