How To Talk To Your Child About Visiting The Dentist

Going to the dentist can be a scary experience for children, but it's important to ensure that they understand the importance of regular dental check-ups and the role they play in maintaining good oral health. Here are a few tips on how to talk to your child about visiting the dentist:

Use age-appropriate language and explanations

Children of different ages will have different levels of understanding, so make sure to explain things in a way that they can understand. For example:

Teeth bugs

Sugar is dentists enemy number 1, so you need to teach your child about the risks of plaque build up, bacteria and cavities. Consider introducing these things as ‘teeth bugs’ that you can get rid of by brushing your teeth thoroughly twice a day. By using this language, you may even turn tooth brushing into a fun game!

Wobble

By a certain age, all children will know about wobbly teeth - and wobble is a really fun word to say. If your child has to have a tooth removed or extracted, use this word to refer to the tooth removal. Say something like, ‘the dentist is going to wobble your tooth out’.

Be honest and reassuring

Let your child know that going to the dentist can be uncomfortable, but it's important for their health. Reassure them that the dentist and dental staff are there to help and won't hurt them. Your attitude and behaviour is important too - try to remain calm and positive when you are seeing the dentist to model behaviour for your child.

Prepare your child in advance

Talk to your child about what to expect during a visit to the dentist, such as having their teeth cleaned and checked for cavities. You can even use a toothbrush or toy teeth to show them how the dentist will clean their teeth.

Make it a positive experience

Talk about the benefits of visiting the dentist, such as having a healthy and beautiful smile. Reward your child after their visit to the dentist to make the experience more enjoyable for them. Dentists will often also give children stickers to improve the experience for children.

Make it a regular habit

Encourage your child to visit the dentist regularly, and make it a part of their routine. This will help them to feel more comfortable with the experience and will make it easier to talk to them about future visits.

By following these tips, you can help your child to feel more comfortable and confident about visiting your dental practice. Remember, regular dental check-ups are an important part of maintaining good oral health, so it's important to have these conversations with your child.

Visit Acorn Dental Health

If your child needs a dental check up, then contact Acorn Dental Health for a dentist appointment today! We hire professional dentists who have experience familiarising children with the dental practice process. We pride ourselves on delivering quality service and keeping little mouths healthy. Contact us today online or by calling 01489 782 166.