How to Keep Kids Excited About Visiting the Dentist

A common feeling or theme that parents and children experience when visiting SmileKrafters’ pediatrics office is “fun.” We want to help kids get excited about visiting the dentist, which is why we have an entertaining waiting room equipped with games, books, colorful murals and more. Even with this enjoyable environment and an experienced staff, kids can sometimes still feel a bit of anxiety about their visits.

We want to reverse this trend! As you can likely imagine, parents play a vital role in influencing the way their child feels about a trip to the dentist. In this blog we’ve put together some of our favorite tips to help children overcome the angst of a visit to the dentist, and we encourage you to give these steps a try with your kids:

1. Make dental visits a habit when your children are young – The American Dental Association recommends that children should visit the dentist by their first birthday or when a child’s first tooth begins to come in. If you get your children into the habit of a regular checkup when they’re very young, they’ll realize that the dentist isn’t so scary and the dental office will become a recognizable place. If you wait until problems arise and some dental work needs to be done, this could hinder the ease of future visits.

2. Don’t share your experiences – One of the primary culprits of a child’s uneasiness with a visit to the dentist is a story they’ve heard (or overheard) from their parents. Avoid sharing negative thoughts, ideas, or experiences you’ve had at the dentist.
3. Let the staff handle any tough questions or subjects –Our experience has taught us what to say, and more importantly what not to say when working with children at the Smilekrafters’ office. We can answer those tough questions in a simple and nonthreatening way, which goes a long way towards keeping your child at ease.
4. Emphasize the importance of healthy teeth and gums – Help your children understand that visiting our office is an important step in keeping their mouths healthy. Oral hygiene is an integral part in the body’s overall health, and the dentist’s office is an important place to visit regularly.
5. Stay with them during their examinations – Many children find comfort in having their parents join them for their exams.

Keeping these simple tips in mind will go a long way toward getting your children on the right track for healthy smiles that they can enjoy for the rest of their lives. Remember, visiting the dentist is an adventure, not something children need to fear. We encourage you to check out our pediatric dentistry video below, and give us a call today if you’re interested in scheduling an appointment.