Help Nervous Kids Relax at the Dental Office

Some kids love going to the dentist and some are fearful of it. For those kids who fear dental appointments, parents often wonder how to make their child feel more at ease. At Bayberry Dental Care in Tinley Park, IL, we want all of our patients to feel comfortable; patients both big and small. Take some of our tips for easing dental anxiety in kids.

Pretend Dental Visits

By pretending to be the “dentist” at home, your child will feel more comfortable in our office. Try having them lean back in a chair or on a couch while you count their teeth. This will help them know what to expect while in the real dental chair.

 

Start Them Young

Not only does starting kids’ dental visits young help them feel more comfortable in our office, it is actually necessary! Kids should start seeing the dentist as soon as they grow in their first tooth or by the age of one. The younger they start, the more familiar they will feel with the appointments.

 

Reward Good Behavior

Giving your child praise or a reward after good behavior at a dental appointment is a good way to reinforce positive feelings. Take them to a park, let them pick a movie to see, or make their favorite dinner afterward. Be sure to offer the reward after the dental appointment, because you do not want to offer it before, making them feel like there is something to be afraid of. The next time they go to the dentist, they will associate a good appointment with your praise.

 

Kids may feel nervous about dental appointments, but there are ways to help them relax. To schedule your family’s appointments at Bayberry Dental Care here in Tinley Park, IL, call our office at (708) 802-8300. More information about us can be found on our website, www.bayberrydentalcare.com. 

Getting Kids to Brush and Floss

Getting kids to brush and floss their teeth can be a hassle. It helps when they know just why they are doing it, though, and getting them to take an interest in their health can lead to a lifelong trend. Take some tips from Bayberry Dental Care in Tinley Park, IL to get your kids brushing!

Like previously mentioned, kids are more likely to take an interest in their oral health if they know why they need to do it. Try finding books or videos that explain why brushing and flossing are important. Your local library or perhaps an Internet search should help you out.

In addition, choose kid-friendly dental equipment, or better yet, let your kids pick out their own. There are many toothbrushes with cartoon characters and even ones that play music. There is also toothpaste and floss that are flavored with fun flavors like fruit or bubblegum.

To motivate your child to brush and floss regularly, you may want to create a chore chart. If they brush twice per day and floss once, they get a star for that day. After so many stars, they get a reward! These can be simple rewards like cooking their favorite dinner or heading to the park.

Kids don’t always want to get brushing but with a little help, they will make it part of their daily routines. To schedule your child’s cleaning and examination with Bayberry Dental Care in Tinley Park, IL, call our office at (708) 802-8300. For more information about us, visit our website, www.bayberrydentalcare.com.