4 Ways to Avoid Gum Disease
Gum disease is far too common, but it's preventable! Learn how to protect your gums and oral health with these four proven strategies.
My Child Is Afraid of the Dentist: How Can I Help?
If your child fears the dentist and is growing anxious about an upcoming appointment, you’re not alone. According to a recent study, about a third of all children have dental fear and anxiety (DFA).
That’s why our skilled team, led by Carol Scuro, DMD, Bradford Emery, DMD, and Nicholas Emery, DDS, at Emery & Scuro DMD, PC in Rochester, New York, customizes dental care specifically for children. We know many children are nervous when they come to see us, and we tailor our children’s dentistry services to calm their fears and make them comfortable.
Here are some tips to help make your child’s DFA a thing of the past:
Start early
The earlier you introduce your child to our team, the better. We recommend starting care by the time your baby turns 1. Regular visits from a young age help make the experience a natural part of their routine and keep fear from building up. Biannual checkups with our friendly staff make them familiar, and more comfortable, with our office and the environment.
Be positive
Show enthusiasm about your own dental visits. We offer comprehensive family dentistry services so you and your child can get the care you need in one place and from the same providers. Talk about how you look forward to your trips to the dentist because it keeps your teeth and smile healthy and strong.
Set expectations
Fear of the unknown is one of the leading sources of DFA, so it’s helpful to be gentle and truthful about what your child will experience. Let them know that the dentist will recline the chair, turn on a big, bright light, ask them to open their mouth wide, use a handheld mirror to see all of their teeth, and may use special tools to work on their teeth.
Explain how the X-ray process works and that it only takes a couple of minutes. If preventive care like a cleaning is scheduled, explain how the team uses water and paste to scrub each tooth to make their smile shiny and bright.
Bring security items
Comfort items like a favorite blanket, toy, or stuffed animal are perfectly fine to bring. We encourage it and make sure it stays close to your child during the entire visit.
If your child’s fear stems from a bad dental experience in the past, you can minimize the chance of needing another procedure by teaching them good oral hygiene, and we’d love to help. Brushing twice daily, flossing every day, and limiting sugary foods protects their teeth and gums and reduces the chance for a cavity or gum disease to develop.
We’re committed to helping your child overcome DFA and have the best possible experience. If you have a child who’s afraid of the dentist, we want help!
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