Easing Your Toddler's Fear of the Dentist

Is it time for you to take your toddler to the dentist for the first time and they are dealing with feelings of fear and anxiety? Maybe they are afraid because of some of the things they've heard from some friends, or they may be dealing with the effects of images they've seen on different television shows. Well, there are several things you can do to help your child get over these issues.

One of the things you can do is try to schedule an appointment at the same time that they will be going. See if the dentist has an opening for both of you. Now, of course you wouldn't want to be getting your work done at the same exact time that your toddler is. That's because you'd want to be in the room with them to show support if necessary. With that being said, if your little one knows that you will both basically be in the same shoes, it will most likely help your child feel a little better and more courageous. They won't have to feel as if they are going at it alone.

It may even help if you get your checkup done before them. They can even sit in the room with you to witness the process. Once you are done it will give them an opportunity to see that they will also get through it without any harm or serious complications. Sometimes, all children really need is to be reassured by what they see and not just by what someone says.

Another thing you can do to help your kid get over the fear of the dentist is talk with the dental professional beforehand to see if the specialist can contribute to easing your child's fears. If the person who will be conducting the checkup is already aware of the issues, there's a better chance that they will be more sensitive to what's going on. This isn't to say that dentists in general aren't sensitive to the hesitations of children. However, when there are special circumstances such as these, making them aware gives them an opportunity to put forth extra effort if necessary.

Lastly, you can also have a chat with your toddler before the visit. It doesn't have to be a long drawn out conversation. However, try to see if you can find out the root cause of their fearfulness. You can also talk to them about how beneficial and harmless dental visits really are.

So, if your child is experiencing feelings of fear before a trip to the dentist, there are several things you can do to help ease those anxieties. You don't have to feel hopeless when situations such as these arise.