Weight Loss Tips: Real-Life Steps That Worked

How To Make Your Child Look Forward To Visiting The Dentist Or Orthodontist

Raising a child can be one of the most exhausting, albeit rewarding milestones for a person to contend with. Moreover, trying to get them to go to the dentist can feel like pulling teeth. However, there are a few simple steps you can take that will make a trip to the dentist seem like less of a hassle, and more of an indulgence.

Lead by Example

Children are notoriously impressionable. And although this often manifests itself in youngsters imitating some less-than-reputable characters, you can actually use this to your advantage when attempting to coerce your little ones into visiting the dentist. Next time you take a trip to the dentist, be sure to take your child along with you. Not only will this allow you to show them that there is nothing to fear, it will also offer you an opportunity to demonstrate how dental checkups can be an enjoyable process.

Consider Visiting a Pediatric Specialist

Not everybody is fond of children. Likewise, not all children are fond of strange adults. For this reason, it may be wise for you to consider taking your child to a pediatric dentist or orthodontist who specializes in treating children. In addition to having a patient, kindhearted nature that facilitates working with little ones, pediatric dentists are also better equipped to diagnose and treat the illnesses and conditions that are more often associated with children than adults.

Remember to Reward Your Child

Did you know that children can be conditioned into behaving themselves by offering them positive reinforcement? Thankfully, this principle can also be applied when attempting to make your child want to visit the dentist or orthodontist. By offering your child a small reward such as a trip to the toy store or their favorite restaurant after a visit to the dentist, they will ultimately begin to associate dentistry and orthodontics visits with the positive feeling of being rewarded. And, in time, the prospect of being rewarded can potentially make your child view regular dentist checkups with elation, rather than scorn.

When all is said and done, regular dentistry and orthodontics trips are two of the most important aspects of maintaining a child's oral health, and forgoing a visit should never be viewed as a viable alternative. However, by remembering to lead by example, find a pediatric specialist, and reward your children after every visit, you can turn a potentially harrowing affair into a leisurely walk in the park. (For more information on orthodontics, contact a practice such as Aspen Orthodontics)


Share