It is recommended that parents first take their child to the dentist when their baby’s first tooth erupts. This usually happens sometimes when they are between six months and one year old. At that age, they are not yet able to understand what is happening or behave in ways that are too difficult for their parents to handle. But when they get a little bit older, going to the dentist can become a lot more difficult.

One reason for this is that some children experience dental anxiety, and this may cause them to act out when the time comes for their important checkups. This quick guide will look at some strategies for keeping your child calm and perhaps even getting them to go willingly to the dentist.

1. Find a paediatric dentist that your child will love

Although it seems mundane to adults, there is a lot for young children to fear about a trip to the dentist. Unfamiliar rooms, strange noises, and scary-looking objects can be very disconcerting, and on top of all that they will have to face the invasive experience of a stranger rooting around inside their mouth.

Finding a dentist that your children like and who puts them at ease can make an enormous difference to how anxious they feel about the whole experience. Nowadays, you can get a list of dentists who see children by simply typing something like “child dentist Kew” into Google. That’s the easy part. Next, you’ll need to get your child to the dental clinic so that you can see how they interact with the dentist.

Use the following tips to help keep them calm before you get there.

2. Tell them the truth, but don’t over-explain

Overwhelming your child with too much information about what will happen and why is likely to cause them more anxiety, not less. While you should be honest about where you are going, keep any explanations simple and to the point. If they are going for a checkup, telling them that the dentist is going to count their teeth or check their smile is fine. However, if they are going to receive some more serious treatment, do not hide this from them.

3. Do not promise them a reward

It can be tempting to promise your child that they will receive some sort of treat if they behave well at the dentist, but this is ultimately counterproductive. Firstly, it might make them suspect that something bad or unpleasant is going to happen at the dentists. Secondly, your goal should ultimately be to help them see going to the dentist as part of a healthy lifestyle that they will sustain as they grow older, just like exercise. Rewarding them with sweet treats is counter to this.

Surprising them after with praise or other non-edible rewards is okay.

Summary

These tips should help, but the first dental visit with any new pediatric or family dentist might be difficult. This is really a good thing because it will give you a chance to see how well the dentist can reassure your child, gain their trust, and keep them calm. Over time, familiarity with the dentist and the procedures will also reduce your child’s anxiety.