Baton Rouge Parents Magazine—October 2024

Not-So-Scary Dentist Visits BY VICTORIA MIKOTA PHOTO BY FREEPIK.COM

F or children (and adults), alike, the dentist can be a scary place to visit. Mysterious drilling sounds, gargling, and beeping can be heard echoing through the hallways, and for a young child, this can be an overwhelming experience. While it’s crucial to keep up with six-month cleanings, it can often feel like pulling teeth to get your child into the dentist’s chair. Fear not parents, we have some tips on how you can make the dentist a not-so-scary place. Keep the Details Short and Sweet Visiting the dentist can be filled with a lot of unknowns like cavities, dental procedures, or even tooth removal. In order to keep your child calm, try to use details about the visit sparingly. Keep the conversation lighthearted and positive, and maybe even promise a fun treat after it’s all over. uncomfortable experience. Needles, x-rays, and other foreign tools can be scary to kids. Try to avoid going into too much detail about what the dentist is going to do, or how scary some of it might be, or even saying things like “this might hurt a little.” Choose Words Carefully Going to the dentist can be an

40 OCTOBER2024 | BRPARENTS.COM

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