Gone are the days when visiting a dentist was a real torture, because This is due to the first screeching dental units and an undeveloped anesthesia system. Today, dental treatment can be absolutely painless, thanks to the latest anesthesia and equipment.
Regular visits to the dentist with a child will help prevent the development of diseases of the teeth and gums, will not allow the development of pathological processes. Healthy teeth are a component of normal human development, the formation and development of teeth should take place under close attention, it is impossible to do without a specialist in this case.
A big role in preparing for a trip to the dental clinic is played by the baby's parents. How to properly configure the child, successfully pass the diagnosis and treatment of teeth and gums without fear and tantrums, we will understand below.
Young patients
Kids for the dentist are divided into those who came for the first time, those who have already been treated or examined and received a positive attitude, and those who have problems with visiting the dentist.
The first trip to the dentist is usually necessary in period of appearance of the first teeth, that is, when the child is a little more than six months. The doctor simply examines the young patient and makes sure that everything goes as it should. Dentists advise visiting them once a year at the age of 2-3 years, and at least twice a year after 3 years. The regularity of visits to the dentist will be equated by the baby with other trips to the clinic. Dental problems most often occur by 2.5 years.
The Story of Doctor's Visit
Explain to the baby who the dentist is. If the child does not bother anything, say that this is such a doctor who will simply check the teeth and tell them how they are doing, how they grow, count them.
If the baby has pain, say that the doctor will treat the tooth and everything will pass. But do not give false promises, you should not tell the baby that he will not feel anything, because many experience discomfort during dental treatment. Tell the child that the doctor will try very hard, it will not hurt much, if the baby has an injection, warn that he will feel a small prick.
Prepare the child mentally, tell us what tools the doctor has, what a comfortable chair that can ride, rise and fall.
Repetition
Play a dentist at home. Treat toys, read special books. Bring the baby a mirror, let him examine the teeth. Draw teeth, paint over a sick tooth, and then “heal” using an eraser.You can blind a tooth and a harmful worm that ruined it. Show your imagination.
Tales and cartoons
Watch educational cartoons about teeth with your baby. It is especially good if you find in advance a cartoon with a tooth theme with your favorite baby characters. In modern animated series, there are such. Let the kid tell you which heroes did the right thing and which didn’t, explain to the child how to take care of the teeth properly. Together, come to the conclusion that the teeth must be checked and treated.
Promises
As a last resort, promise the baby something pleasant after visiting the dentist, provided that the child will behave well. Do not overdo it, don’t promise promiscuous gifts, trips to the circus, etc. Bribery is not the best educational measure. Let the promised present be ordinary and inexpensive. Be sure to let your child know that the main gift is good, healthy teeth. You can make the child receive a present from the doctor himself for his good behavior, as "the best patient."
Emotionless
Children really feel about their parents, and especially their mother. Calm yourself, you do not need to assume yourself that you are leading the baby into the torture chamber. Be emotionally stable. Let the visit to the dentist be like a banal trip to the store, a simple necessity, a normal thing. If you are very worried, take a sedative and in no case do not irritate the baby.
Arrangement with a doctor
You can agree in advance with the doctor so that the baby can get acquainted with the equipment before the examination, the doctor himself can show what and how it spins, splashes and buzzes. This will allow the child to be more comfortable with what is happening. Judge for yourself, because we ourselves worry about unknown procedures.
Talk with the doctor before the appointment, tell us what your child is fond of, this will allow the dentist to entice the baby with an interesting conversation, and the child will penetrate the doctor as a person if he shares his affection.
Relationship is ok
Before going to the doctor, bring the relationship with the child in a very friendly direction. After a quarrel with parents, the baby may just be specially angry and cry with the doctor, thereby manifesting his "revenge."
Let's make a company
As you know, one thing is always worse. Ask friends, relatives, perhaps their children or they themselves also need to be examined by a dentist. Children collectively easier to visit a doctor. Unpleasant emotions are easier to bear with loved ones, with friends and comrades. In addition, the child may just be ashamed to arrange tantrums and behave badly, because not only you will be nearby.
Show an example
Sit in the dental chair yourself, let the doctor see for yourself. Parental example is one of the most effective techniques. Do not frown, do not cry out, do not cower, then the child will understand that nothing terrible is happening.
Not! Threats and screams
In no case do not threaten the child and do not punish for reluctance to go to the dentist. Do not hurt the baby’s psyche, after your threats, he will definitely not be able to relax and can earn complexes and fears forever. You also do not need to be negative with the doctor, be reasonable and calm. Upon arrival, tell the doctor that you brought a very good child, calm and patient. The kid will try to meet your expectations and not let you down.
Can compare
If a child has already heard enough of horror stories about dental treatment for peers, say, for example, “Yes, your Vitka is even afraid of mice, and you have a brave man.”
Relations with the doctor
You should never scare a baby with a dentist. “Do not gnaw a pencil, otherwise the doctor will drill your teeth,” “whoever does not brush his teeth will get sick, and the doctor will vomit them” - phrases that you should not use when communicating with a child. If the baby at the dentist behaved badly, biting, beating the doctor, it is not necessary to say that the child is well done, set the heat to the nasty doctor. Otherwise, this may be your last trip to the doctor.
At the reception, communicate with the doctor as with an old acquaintance, address by name, so the child will understand your disposition to the person and also cease to be afraid of him.
Dentist's Choice
Carefully approach the choice of a dentist, especially if your child already has a negative experience with such doctors. Be sure to check if the clinic has a pediatric dentist. Do not go to the same doctor with whom your baby has not developed a relationship. Read online reviews, chat with parents on forums to learn more about the clinic and the doctors in it. Organize everything so that the current reception does not look like the one that injured the psyche of the child. Do not come to the clinic in advance so that the child does not languish in the nervous expectation of the unknown.
Do not wait when the baby begins to have problems with his teeth, go to the reception prophylactically. If the painful process is already running, do not be ashamed of missing the moment, the doctors are people who understand, no one will blame you.
Remember that you are the closest person to your child, praise him, encourage him, do not hesitate to pick him up, calm him down. While your child is small, his health is in your hands.
We also read:
- 12 effective ways to teach a child to brush his teeth
- The child is afraid of doctors: advice from psychologists and experienced mothers how to help children get rid of fear
- How to remove a milk tooth in a child without tears at home and at the dentist: tips, methods and video instructions
How to teach your baby not to be afraid of a dentist
A lot depends on the doctor and the first experience of meeting with the dentist. I remember my first dentist. He was handsome, young and smiling, humming songs under his nose and even rode on a chair from table to chair where I was sitting. Since then I’m not only not afraid of dentists, but I like to go to them, although for the majority the first meeting caused only negative!