How to get your child to go to the dentist

Whether it is for a school check up, anual check up or dental problem, children are often afraid to go to the dentist. Here are ideas on how to help your child feel less afraid.

1. Step1

   Most adults are afraid of going to the dentist. Much of this fear stems from your childhood perception of dentists. It is important to help your child feel as comfortable as possible about going to the dentist.

2. Step2

   Before you go to the dentist, reinforce the ideas that the dentist is going to help teeth healthy and clean. Give words of encouragement: You can add how much you love your child's smile or if your child is small remind them of the tooth fairy.

3. Step3

   If a child asks if it will hurt, calmly and directly state that sometimes it feels good (getting your teeth cleaned and polished feels good) and sometimes it may not feel good (try not to say hurt or pain, as this may make them frightened).

4. Step4

   Consider going to a pediatric dentist. They specialize in working with children. The offices are very kid friendly and some have cartoons on tv's that can be seen while in the chair, a treasure chest to pick out a prize afterward, and many other ways to help a child feel more relaxed.

5. Step5

   A pediatric dentist also uses techniques that assist a child in having procedures such as shots or filings. A true life example is my son, who did not even know he had a shot of novocaine until he was on the way home and did not know why he was drooling and couldn't feel part of his lip.

6. Step6

   If there are no pediatric dentists available to you, and the dentist you will be seeing about what he suggests. Some dentists allow headphones with music, to help block out sound. Others may have video capability that would allow you to bring your child's favorite video to help distract and relax your child.

7. Step7

   Lastly, remember to try to portray the upcoming dentist experience as something that is normal ("all your friends have gone to the dentist"), try to calm any fears {explain that there might be some hurt, but dentist is excellent at trying not to hurt the patient), etc.