3 Often Forgotten Ways To Keep Small Kids Calm At The Dentist Office
As an adult, heading to the dentist for a checkup is just a usual part of life, but for a kid, this can be a scary experience. Kids are often fearful of things and places that they have no experience with and it can definitely be hard to make them understand what the dentist is and why they need to be there. If your youngster has an appointment with the dentist and you are dreading their fearful reaction, you should know that there are a few things you can do that may help. Check out these often forgotten ways to keep your child calm at the dentist office when they are little.
Try to bring along a friend or sibling.
This one may sound odd, but there is some logic in the idea. Children feed off of one another's emotions when they are together. If your child has a sibling or a close friend who is not afraid of the dentist, try to make it possible to either take them along or have their appointment scheduled for the same day as your little one. Your youngster may find comfort in having someone there with them their age, especially if this child does not seem apprehensive about the visit.
Schedule the visit for mid-morning or right after nap time.
The more tired your child is, the more likely it will be that a meltdown will occur at the dentist office. Therefore, it is always a good idea to schedule their appointment for mid-morning when they've not been awake for many hours or right after the time of their usual nap if possible. If your child is alert and not already tired and cranky, there is a higher likelihood that you will be able to keep them calm with explanations.
Bring along earbuds and an MP3 player or phone.
Sometimes, it is the sounds in the dentist office alone that will cause anxiety for your little one. There my be other upset children there crying and making noise, noises coming from treatment rooms, and even the sounds of dental drills. Just by keeping your child's ears blocked from the usual sounds in a dentist office, you will likely see a huge difference in how stressed they are about the situation. Bring along your phone or an MP3 player or iPod and ear buds or headphones that your child can slip on while in the waiting room or even during treatment.