Making Dental Visits Fun for Kids: Tips From Family Dentists

It is common for children to feel nervous about going to the dentist. However, a family dentist and their staff prioritize patient comfort and health. These dental professionals have various approaches, tips, and resources to help make visits for children more comfortable and enjoyable.

Tips to make dental visits fun for your child

When it comes to managing a child's uneasiness around the dentist, the first rule of thumb is to start bringing them to a family dentist as early on as possible. This helps them become more comfortable when going to the dentist's office and can reduce some of the fear of the unknown. Here are some other tips to help make dental visits less scary and more exciting for children:

Bring a comfort item

One of the best ways to make visiting a family dentist enjoyable for children is to bring an item of comfort from home. This can make the entire appointment a lot easier and more comfortable for the child. Examples include a stuffed animal, a favorite toy, or a blanket.

Talk through it or show it

Another way to make dental visits fun is to discuss the appointment or procedures with the child beforehand. Kids are curious, and a lot of the time, their fear comes from not knowing what is going on. If the parents and family dentist work together to explain what might happen during the appointment or certain procedures, the child might feel more comfortable and at ease.

In the same vein, it can help to bring along a sibling or parent whom the family dentist can see as well. For example, a child might enjoy watching the dentist examine their parent's or sibling's teeth first. This shows them that it is harmless and could allow the child to be interactive, which is usually enjoyable at a young age.

Encourage breaks

It can be hard for children to sit still throughout the entire dental appointment, especially when they are nervous. One way to get around this is to set up a system where the child is allowed and encouraged to ask for breaks. A common way to do this is to have them raise one of their arms when they want a short break. The dental hygienist will also check in periodically and read their body language to determine whether a break might be helpful.

Let them explore the dental office

While dental practices are businesses, family dentists want to make sure that the environment has a positive place in the child's mind. Therefore, it is recommended that children be allowed to explore the office within reason. For instance, dental hygienists may allow the child to look around at different parts of the dental X-ray machine when turned off or let them see (not necessarily hold) dental instruments as they use them throughout the teeth cleaning.