Don’t feel bad if your kids don’t want to go to the dentist. Your parents had the same problem back when you were a kid. No one likes dental visits. If you did, you’re an exception and not a rule. Dentists are well-aware that kids don’t like them. Look, they may even like their pediatricians more than their pediatric dentists. There’s no easy way to say this: kids hate the thought of dentists and dental visits.
Unfortunately, this is the real world and in the real world, kids must go to the dental clinic regularly. They need a pediatric dentist the moment they started growing teeth. They need the dentist to clean their teeth and check their gums regularly. When they’re finally old enough, they need to go to the dentist again for a wisdom tooth removal. Oh, not to mention, for those with misaligned teeth, braces are going to be a part of their lives.
Parents are often in limbo about how to trick their kids into going to the dentist. Should they bribe them? But that’s bad. Should they be honest with them? But they’re never going to agree to visit their dentists. The answer is to mix and match a little bit of everything—tricks, little white lies, and honesty.
Make It a Family Trip
Your kids want nothing more than to spend time with you. So, why not make the dental visit a family affair? Look for a dental clinic with adult and pediatric dentists. You can then schedule your visits so that everyone will get to seat in the dentist’s chair. You may want to go first to show how brave you are. And yes, you have to feign bravery so your kids will know there’s nothing they should be afraid of when it comes to dental procedures or a simple dental checkup.
Lead by Example
Aside from sitting in that dentist’s chair calmly, you also have to lead by example when it comes to the drink and food you consume. Avoiding sugary drinks is one of the first rules of taking care of your dental health. The same goes for your kids. Even though they are still young, push them to practice good dental hygiene by avoiding drinks and food that are detrimental to their teeth and gums.
But more than pushing them to follow what the dentist said, you should also follow the same house rules. Avoid buying carbonated and sugary drinks. Do not make eating sweets a part of your diet. Simply put, practice what you preach. The only way for your kids to be disciplined enough when it comes to taking care of themselves is to see you do the same.
Use Videos, Toys, and Books
Are your kids fond of dinosaurs? Look for an image or video of dinosaurs brushing their teeth and visiting the dentist. There’s a lot of those on the internet seeing as kids will idolize their favorite characters. Use fun videos, games, books, and toys to show your kids it’s okay to get their teeth and gums checked. These are great sources for an introduction to dental health.
Find a Friendly Dentist
It’s important to find a dentist your kids feel comfortable with. It doesn’t matter how academically accomplished the dentist is. What matters is that your kids trust them. You will notice that in the way the dentists treat your kids. Are they friendly or irritated? Do they answer their questions patiently or are they annoyed by your kids?
You can also, of course, use rewards to cajole your kids to visit the dentist. But as with most things, never let them get used to the idea of doing something good for the rewards. Although a visit to the dentist is always a stressful event for families, try to keep to it until such time your kids no longer think of it as a chore but rather, they’ll begin to see it as an adventure.