For a young child, going to the dentist may be a very nerve wracking experience. Thankfully, it doesn't have to be that way if you follow these tips to make the visit easier for them.

Stay Calm

The worst thing you can do as a parent is to be nervous about the appointment in front of your child. Even if you are worried about how they will do, it is important that you stay calm and demonstrate ideal behavior about visiting the dentist. Your reactions will reflect on your child, and if you're acting nervous then your child will as well.

Provide Distractions

Be prepared to provide some distractions for your child to stop them from getting nervous about the dentist. You can bring their favorite tech device for them to use while in the waiting room, and headphones to listen to an audio book or music while the dentist is performing their examination. If they are not thinking about what is happening to them, they'll be more at lease about the dental exam.

Bring A Comfort Toy

Askyour child if they want to bring a stuffed animal with them for the visit to the dentist. Having their favorite toy with them can give them something to cuddle throughout the visit and distract them from what the dentist is doing to them.

Provide Praise

One of the best things that you can do is praise your kid throughout their appointment to make them feel like they are doing a good job. You can let them know that they are now a big kid by going to the dentist. Once the visit is done, you can provide even more praise by telling them what a good job they have been doing by brushing while they are at home. Positive reinforcement is key to making your child feel like the visit was a success.

Offer A Bribe

If the other techniques are not working, it is always worth offering a bribe to your child to get them to go through the appointment. Maybe there is a certain toy that they want, or an activity they want to do afterward. Letting them know that they'll get a reward for making it through the appointment can really help motivate them to get through it all.

Looking for more tips on getting your child through their dentist appointment? Make sure to ask the family dentist before hand to set yourself up for success.

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