At Mapleridge Children & Adult Dentistry, it’s our mission to help each of our patients achieve the healthy, beautiful smile they deserve. Our family dentistry proudly provides a wide range of dental services to patients of all ages, such as children’s dentistry, cosmetic dentistry, teeth whitening, and even sleep apnea treatment! Meanwhile, our caring and compassionate staff strive to ensure a comfortable, stress-free environment, because we understand that sometimes trips to the dentist can cause anxiety in some patients, especially young children.
Fearing the dentist is quite understandable when you look at things from a child’s perspective — an unfamiliar room full of strange objects and odd noises, a stranger poking around in their mouths — it’s easy to see how that could be overwhelming! However, it’s important for children to grow comfortable visiting their family dentist in Liverpool, NY, because regular dental check-ups are important to oral health, and we want them to continue regular visits into adulthood. Luckily, there are some things you can do as a parent to prevent or help teach your child to overcome their fear of the dentist.
Getting your child used to the dentist as early in life as possible is a great way to hopefully prevent a fear of the dentist from developing at all. At Mapleridge Children & Adult Dentistry, we recommend scheduling your child’s first visit around their first birthday. Not only will this allow your family dentist in Liverpool to examine your child’s oral health and development, but it also introduces them to the environment and helps your child grow familiar and comfortable with our staff and the check-up process.
Before dental visits, be cautious with the words you use to describe the upcoming check-up. Avoid stressful words, such as “pain,” “drill,” “shot,” or “hurt.” Try to explain in a calm, simple way, that the dentist is just there to help make sure your child has strong, healthy teeth — this will help reinforce the idea that the visit is for a good thing.
While it’s tempting due to its simplicity, offering bribes of treats or candy for good behavior after the dentist is actually quite contradictory in a couple of ways: it may set off alarm bells for your child, as they may then wonder “why would I behave badly unless something bad is about to happen?” It also sends a conflicting message, since your family dentistry will stress to your child the importance of avoiding excessive amounts of sugar in order to keep their smile healthy.
Before taking your child to their next appointment, consider letting them practice how the appointment will go at home. Using a soft-bristled toothbrush and a mirror, show your child how you count their teeth and let them know the dentist will do the same and will help keep them clean and strong. You can also let them play the role of dentist by having them brush the teeth of a doll or other toy.
One of the most important factors in keeping your child calm and stress-free at the dentist, is choosing a family dentistry you can trust, and who you know will take great care to keep your child at ease during their visit. That’s why the staff at Mapleridge Children & Adult Dentistry will go above and beyond to ensure your child’s comfort during their dental visits — because learning to enjoy dental visits can go a long way in helping promote stronger, healthier smiles.
If you’ve been looking for a family dentistry in Liverpool, NY that you can trust with your little one, the friendly staff at Mapleridge Children & Adult Dentistry would love to have you join our dentistry family. If you’re ready to learn more about our family dentistry practice, or you’re ready to schedule an appointment, contact us today. We look forward to helping keep your smiles bright and healthy!
If you have questions regarding the recipes above, or to learn more about healthy foods to eat that won’t cause damage to your teeth, contact us today, and our friendly team will be happy to help. To schedule an appointment for you or your child, give us a call. Have a happy summer!