Research suggests that over a third of Americans fear dental care. This phobia can make it harder to get the treatment they need, with some avoiding the dentist at all. Worse, this fear can sometimes take root early on, even in childhood.

As a parent, what can you do to help your little one avoid this fear? How do you introduce them to their children's dentist without issue?

There are plenty of ways to take control and ease your child's way into treatment, even from a young age. Read on for our best tips!

Get Started Early

Most experts recommend bringing your child to a local family dentist within six months of their first tooth erupting. At the latest, you should bring them in by their first birthday.

Visiting a kids' dentist early does a few things. First and foremost, it helps ensure your child's teeth stay in perfect health as they grow! Second, it gets your child used to having someone new check their teeth.

This familiarity can be crucial as your child gets older. When dental appointments are a regular part of their lives almost from birth, those appointments become routine. This helps them get to know the dentist you've chosen, changing this person from a stranger to a trusted adult.

Bringing an older child to the dentist can get trickier. By then, children may have learned to fear even the word dentist. As a culture, we love doing things like joking about dental fear and spreading the myth of intense pain during root canals.

Showing your child early that routine appointments are nothing to worry about can eliminate fear.

If your child is already older than the recommended age, don't stress! There are still plenty of ways to reduce their discomfort.

Answer any Questions

For children old enough, sit them down and let them know what they can expect from their visit. Explain that their dentist will want to look inside their mouth to help protect their growing teeth.

Avoid using words like "pain" or "hurt," calling them "brave" for visiting the dentist, or making a big deal of the visit. Children often look to their parents to understand how they should feel about a new experience, so if you're radiating anxiety, your child will latch onto that feeling!

Once they've been introduced to the idea, allow them to ask any questions. Keep the conversation simple, upbeat, and positive.

Don't Offer Bribes

We get it: it's tempting to offer fun bribes like treats or toys for a job well done at the dentist. However, doing this in advance can send the wrong message.

Kids are smart enough to recognize that their parents often offer bribes before an unpleasant experience. If you reward them for getting in the dentist's chair, you might teach them that there's something to "get through" for that reward!

Choose the Right Children's Dentist

If you haven't already done so, make sure you're choosing a kid-friendly dentist!

Some general dentists are equipped to treat the teeth of young children, but they focus more on adult patients. Instead, make sure you're choosing a team that can address dental hygiene and make your child comfortable! These offices are used to seeing kids of all ages and needs, and they often have a fun-filled and relaxing environment to help kids feel at home.

Kid-friendly dentists can also help educate you and your child on the best ways to care for little teeth. If your child needs any special treatments, such as orthodontics or sedation, a kid-friendly dentist is the way to go. With a little forethought, by the time your child is old enough to need braces or whitening treatment, they'll be old hat at sitting through appointments!

Set Up a Trial Run

Before your child's first appointment, why not swing by a clinic to let them see what to expect? We guarantee that any reputable dentist in the Catoosa area will be more than happy to let your little one check out the office and meet the staff.

This can be a good way to settle any nerves, especially in family-friendly offices with toys, games, play areas, and other distractions. Once your child no longer has to fear the unknown, their upcoming appointment might not seem as intimidating.

Make the Appointment Fun

When it's finally time for your little one to have their first visit, make the trip as comfortable as possible.

Bring a Comfort Object

If your little one has a favorite toy, book, stuffed animal, or blanket, bring it with you! Your dentist will be more than happy to let them hold onto it during their appointment, as these objects often help reduce anxiety. If you've put together a calm-down kit, now is the time to have it on hand.

Stay With Them

We're always happy to have parents sit in on their child's appointments in our Locust Grove clinic and other offices. Again, remember to stay calm and unconcerned: your behavior influences the way your child feels!

To take this a step further, you can even schedule back-to-back family appointments. This gives your child a chance to see you sitting through your appointment without anxiety. When it's their turn, they'll be much more likely to follow your good example.

Heap on the Praise

During and after the appointment, be sure to praise your little one for their good behavior. As we've stated above, don't go too far and make a big deal of the visit, but be sure to let them know they're doing a good job by following their dentist's instructions or being respectful.

Trust Our Kid-Friendly Clinics

Bringing your kid to the children's dentist for the first time may feel like a big deal to you, but it should never feel that way to your kid!

That's why our Dental Arts family focuses on providing compassionate, fun-filled, and kid-friendly service at every appointment. Our warm and comfortable atmosphere is perfect for kids of all ages, and we always have tricks in our back pockets to help kids feel safe and confident. When you're ready to address your little one's dental care needs, give us a call.