In general, children tend to do best when their life is predictable. They are more likely to tolerate a procedure when they have been told in advance what to expect. Providing information is particularly important in the case of an anxious child. It helps to describe what is about to happen and what sensations the child will experience (what type of noise he or she will hear, what type of vibrations he or she will feel, what it will taste like etc.).
For the child who is visibly anxious or reports feeling anxious to the clinician, relaxation strategies are quite useful. Many children will experience relief following a simple deep-breathing exercise, which involves deep inhalation and slow exhalation. Asking the child to blow bubbles through a wand (the type bought commercially during summer months) produces a similar effect and sometimes provides distraction as well.
If your child has a favorite stuffed animal or other small toy, suggest that they bring it along with them to the appointment provided it will not interfere with the dentist's work. Sometimes the dental office has a special collection of toys for kids to hold during appointments, which may increase your child's comfort level as well. If you choose to call the office ahead of time to alert the kid’s dentist to your child's nervousness, ask about bringing a small blanket or other comfort item from home.
Before a visit to the pediatric dentist in West Palm Beach, try reading to your child from a selection of books geared toward their age level. Many televisions show also have episodes dealing with first dentist or doctor visits. You may also want to role play using a toy dental kit.
Reinforcing good oral care habits, including routine dental appointments, at an early age will help children develop a positive attitude toward dental care. Kids should understand that the dentist wants to help keep their teeth healthy and that visiting a dental office should not be a scary experience.
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