It’s quite common for children to be afraid of things they aren’t familiar with or don’t understand. This can particularly be true of the dentist. The dentist office can be intimidating because it is a location that your child is unfamiliar with. There are sights and sounds that are completely foreign to your kids. Telling your child that it’s time to go to the dentist can be met with protests and frowns. However, you can easily help your children get over their fears of the dentist simply by talking with them and helping them understand that it’s not such a frightening place. With a little creativity, you can even make your child excited for a trip to the pediatric dentist in West Orange, NJ. Let’s take a look at a few ways you can help your child overcome their fears of the dentist.

Keep Things Simple

When you are talking with your child about their upcoming trip to the dentist, keep it simple. Don’t provide too many details because that can cause your child to get stressed out and give them unnecessary anxiety. Also, if you tell them it will only be a checkup and they end up needing special treatment, you could be damaging their trust. Simply tell your children that you will be taking them to the dentist without giving them false hope.

Be Careful with What Words You Choose

This is a great tip for helping your child avoid making negative connections with the dentist. You need to be careful with what words you choose when you are explaining why the dentist is important to your child and what will happen during their visit. Words like drill, shot, injection, and pain can all make your child scared, especially if you have to explain them in depth. Choose words that are positive and not as intimidating if you want to help your child overcome any fears of going to the dentist.

Don’t Try to Relate

You might think that telling your child about your experiences at the dentist can help them to overcome their fears, but doing so is risky. You might subconsciously feel anxious or nervous about going to the dentist without even realizing. Avoid telling your children about your “war stories” at the dentist. It’s safe to say that stories about root canals, tooth extractions, and other negative stories about the dentist will make your child even more scared of the dentist. Instead, frame the dentist in a positive light and take your child to Sparkles Dentistry for Children. We are the best pediatric dentist in Clifton, NJ, and cater our services to kids so that they are comfortable during their visit.