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Many children have an immense fear of going to the dentist, and this phobia can develop into a lifelong issue that prevents them from receiving dental care. It’s important to make them feel comfortable when they’re young, and the staff at Jim S. Caudill, DMD PSC in Hazard, KY want to share a few tips to help. By calming your child before a trip to the dentist, you’ll make the experience more comfortable for them and instill the importance of regular visits going forward.

3 Tips to Make Your Child Feel Comfortable With the Dentist

1. Begin at an Early Age

dentist-jim-s-caudill-dmd-pscChildren will feel comfortable once they’ve established a relationship with their dentist, which is why you should start early and stick with the same office. You should schedule their initial visit when their first tooth appears, which is usually near their first birthday. Because they’re so young, they shouldn’t have a dental phobia, which will make it easier to create a positive experience with their dentist.

2. Stick to Positive Words

Much of the fear about going to the dentist begins with the idea of pain. Children have serious reactions to the idea of getting shots, fillings, and other pains associated with the dentist. Leading up to their visit, avoid using these words. Instead, replace them with playful and positive vocabulary that makes the dentist sound like a pain-free, fun environment.

3. Start at Home

Before their first visit, play dentist with your child at home. Let them examine and pretend to clean your teeth, and do the same to them. This will build positive associations with the dentist, and they’ll be interested in learning more about the profession when they visit. Roleplaying will also reduce the stigma of visiting the dentist if they’re dealing with fears from previous visits.

If you’re looking for a reliable, caring dentist for your children, turn to Jim S. Caudill, DMD PSC. Their staff is dedicated to creating a comfortable, welcoming environment for patients of all ages and provide a variety of family dentistry services. Call (606) 436-3432 today to schedule an appointment and visit their website and Facebook to learn about their cosmetic dentistry services.

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