5 Ways To Keep Your Toddler Calm While In The Dentist’s Chair
Parents can use these tips to help keep a toddler calm while in the dentist’s chair.
Anytime toddlers experience something new and unknown, they may feel scared or upset. This is a fairly common response, especially for situations like a visit to the dentist. However, parents can use these tips to help keep a toddler calm while in the dentist’s chair.
Teach Your Toddler About The Dentist Before You Go
Although some parents think it’s better to keep their toddlers in the dark until they arrive at the dentist’s office, many experts say that rarely works. In fact, the shock factor often makes toddlers even more nervous and apprehensive, which can cause a complete meltdown by the time you get into the dentist’s chair.
Instead, the team at Milner Dentistry says your visit to the dentist will go much more smoothly if you take the time to teach your toddler about the dentist before you go. You can do this several ways, and all of them are equally effective.
For example, you can play pretend with your toddler and imagine that you’re at a dentist’s office. You can take turns being the dentist and the patient, and you can come up with makeshift instruments and items to make it seem very real. Your child will have a blast playing pretend with you, plus it gives you the opportunity to reassure them that the dentist isn’t a scary person at all.
If you don’t have time or a way to play pretend, you can simply read books about going to the dentist with your child so they know what to expect. Toddlers learn a lot from books, and there are lots of great options out there that specifically cover a child’s first dentist trip. As you read, don’t be afraid to pause and talk to your child about what you’re reading and field any questions they may have about the dentist.
Finally, be sure you prepare your child before you arrive at your appointment. Tell them what to expect from the moment they walk in the door to the moment you leave, and let them ask any questions they may have. In many cases, this type of preparation helps toddlers feel calm and less worried once they actually go into the dentist’s chair.