Do you have a child who is anxious about the dentist? Many of our young patients feel at least a little nervous. We already wrote one blog post about how the words we use as pediatric dentists can affect your child's visit. But did you know that your words matter too?
A recent study found that if parents and other caregivers talk about the dentist in terms of anxiety, it will in turn make the child more anxious. So if you ask a child, "Are you scared of the dentist?" you are increasing his anxiety about seeing the dentist. The child might not have even thought to be scared before you mentioned it.
So instead of asking if your child is scared or nervous at our office, instead, use positive reinforcement to encourage good behavior. For example, saying "Great job opening your mouth wide for Dr. Bunch!" will not only make the child feel proud, but it will also reduce anxiety.
As your pediatric dentist in Tucson, we want to help you understand all aspects of your child's dental care. Feel free to call us at (520) 544-8522.
About Northwest Children's Pediatric Dentists
Dr. Norman Bunch and Dr. Jennifer Marshall are a husband and wife team providing general dentistry for kids in Tucson, Oro Valley, Marana, Oracle, and surrounding areas. Northwest Children's Dentistry provides top-notch care for toddlers, children, teens, and special needs children as your local Tucson dentist. If you’re looking for a kids dentist in Tucson, contact us today!