afraid of the dentistIt is pretty common to have a fear of the dentist, but this is not conducive to keep-ing your mouth and gums healthy throughout your life! Many people develop this fear during childhood, and you may find that your child is fearful of going to the dentist from a young age. Working through this and creating a healthy atti-tude towards visiting the dentist can be really helpful, encouraging your child to look after their oral health for life.
Here at Guiney Dental Clinic, we love to work with families and children of all ages. We understand that it can be scary to visit the dentist, and we are always ready to talk through any worries children may have, taking all the time they need to feel comfortable in our dental practice. Over the years, we have found that the following techniques can help to ease a fear of the dentist, and we would encourage you to try these if your little one is worried about any part of the dental care experience.
How To Overcome A Child’s Fear Of The Dentist:
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Talk about it.
Many fears become worse when they are not talked about, since they can be built up in the mind. If you suspect that your child is feeling worried about visiting the dentist,
take some time to talk about it with them, emphasising the importance of good dental health care and focusing on the positive role that the dentist plays in helping us with this. -
Choose the right dentist.
Here at Guiney Dental Clinic, we work hard to ensure that children feel safe and comfortable when they visit us. It pays to spend time looking for a dentist who understands
how to work with children and takes a family friendly approach. Simple things like receiv-ing a fun sticker can help children to see a visit to the dentist as a positive
experience. -
Play dentists.
If your child is worried about the process of having his or her teeth examined, you can help to take the fear out of the procedure by practising at home. Children love to
role play, and if you use a small mir-ror, torch and toothbrush to demonstrate the way that the dentist will check teeth and gums, your child will begin to feel more comfortable
with the process and less worried about the real thing. -
Eat well.
A child who has to undergo painful extractions or fillings is likely to grow up to be afraid of the dentist, so keeping the teeth and gums healthy is an excellent way to
ensure dental visits are a positive thing. Feed your family a well balanced, healthy diet to ensure that your chil-dren get all the essential vitamins and minerals that will
keep their teeth healthy for life. -
Set a good example.
Having a good daily routine to protect your dental health is another vital way to protect your teeth and gums, and it is espe-cially important to be a positive role model
in this. Ensure that you brush your teeth twice daily, and floss once a day, and let your child see you do-ing this so that he or she sees it as a normal part of taking care
of your health.
Are You Looking for a Family Dentist In Ballincollig?
At Guiney Dental Practice, we welcome the whole family and we take the time to ensure that children always feel positive about their dental care. To make an appointment, call the Guiney Dental Clinic today on 021-481 0535.