Kids are often afraid of strangers altogether, but when you are taking them to see a strange new person who will make them hold their mouth open and may even hold some scary looking tools, you can pretty much guarantee that your little one will be frightened. Convincing your child that the dentist is a good thing can seem about as effective as teaching a cat not to fear a dog. However, there are things that you can do to make the visit more comfortable for your little one so that oral care does not have to be such a stress factor.

Make Sure the Dentist Offers a Child Friendly Environment

One of the easiest ways to make dental visits a more pleasant experience is to look for a pediatric dentist or at least a family professional who has an office welcoming to small children. A little bit of difference can go a long way with a child and if the office boasts a pleasing atmosphere, they may not be so apprehensive about visiting. Fun colors, toys to keep their hands busy, and just kid-friendly chairs and devices can make all the difference in the world.

Be Aware of Your Own Apprehension and Vocal Expressions

Even though kids are young, they are very intuitive to what you are feeling. If you are nervous about the visit to the dentist, there is a good chance that your child will catch the drift and act accordingly. Furthermore, you must be really careful about your personal thoughts and feelings about visiting the dentist because sharing your own experiences with other people aloud can land hard on the ears of a youngster. Even when you think they are not listening, kids have their radar finely tuned and will most likely take everything you say to the most extreme. 

Make Dental Visits Just Another Task in the Day

Instead of marking the calendar and reminding your child for weeks of their impending visit to the dentist, keep the appointment quiet and make sure it is not made out to be a big ordeal. Sure, your little one should know the importance of healthy teeth, but fearing the appointment for weeks can cause a lot of apprehension that may not otherwise be an issue. Just treat the visit like an ordinary stop in the day and quickly move on to other things after it is over. The less of a deal it is in the schedule, the more likely it will be that your little one does not feel alarmed with the situation.

With a little ingenuity, a trip to the dentist does not have to mean an all out war with your little one. You can get a child with healthy teeth without having to worry that you are generating too much stress in the process.