Dentists sometimes get a bad rap. You've all heard the jokes comparing terrible experiences with "going to the dentist." Here at Northwest Children's Dentistry, we strive to create a positive environment for your kids. We don't want kids to be afraid of us, so we do everything our power to reverse this negative stereotype.
You can help as a child's parent too. Try the following tips to help reduce your child's learned fear of the dentist.
- Choose a dentist who is patient with kids. We recommend that your child see a pediatric dentist simply because they are used to the different developmental stages of children. It takes time and practice to provide care for little kids.
- Describe the dentist as a positive experience. If you talk about the dentist as a scary place, your kids will believe it. Try instead to talk about the positive aspects of seeing a dentist, such as having a lifetime of healthy teeth.
- Minimize your use of "scary" dentist words. Some words can create anxiety for children. For example, instead of "cavity," we may say "sick tooth." This also makes what's happening more relevant to children, since many don't understand what a cavity is.
- Go to the dentist for your own routine cleanings. If kids know their parents see their dentists for their own care, it will help them understand how this is part of basic dental hygiene.
As your child's pediatric dentist in Tucson, we want to keep your child's smile healthy. If you have any questions for our office, feel free to call us at (520) 544-8522.
About Northwest Children's Pediatric Dentists
Dr. Norman Bunch and Dr. Jennifer Marshall are doctor spouses who have been working as kids dentists in Tucson for years. They have deep ties to Tucson, as well as the surrounding Oro Valley, Marana, Oracle, and other areas. Northwest Children's Dentistry provides top-notch care for toddlers, children, teens, and special needs children. If you’re looking for a general dentist for kids in Tucson, contact us today at (520) 544-8522.