Dentistry for Children Tips

Dentistry for children is a tricky business, as creating the right attitude in children towards their dentist is important for them, as poor association may lead to a phobia of dentists which does not lead to regular check-ups, which leads to any dental problems remaining untreated. phobias will also carry over into adulthood, compromising adult dental health. Parents and guardians play a bigger part than they realize, as making a trip to the dentist fun or rewarding them after a well behaved visit builds up positive associations and makes them more receptive to learning about oral hygiene and why it is important. Parents should teach their children to brush their teeth as soon as they are able, rewarding rather than punishing, as if the tooth brushing experience is made unpleasant or forced, then the child will build up negative connotations and become unwilling to brush their teeth.

Threatening children with the dentist and talking about drilling holes in teeth should be avoided, even if they are refusing to do things like brushing their teeth and are eating sweets (which should be discouraged, but not with threats about the dentist!) Instead, children should be taken for regular check-ups, even if they are your check-ups and be introduced to your local or family dentist, which will dispel any misconceptions they have about dentists being anything other than a human grown up! When taking them along with you, (although ask your dentist first and if they are ok with it first) if they can watch (if they are capable of being well behaved and not fiddling with instruments obviously) as they will see you behaving without fear at the dentists and take sub-conscious cues from you. Try not to let them get bored in the waiting room, and definitely don't take them with you if having a procedure like tooth removal which may scare them. Also avoid taking them with you if you yourself are frightened by dentists as they will pick up on this and emulate it.

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