You’re welcome at the dentist? Yes, there are supposed to be children who do that: they would like to go to the dentist. Or who at least don’t mind. Just like going shopping … How can that work? Well, the first thing is of course the well-known wisdom: it’s better to take precautions than aftercare. In other words, consistent, child-friendly dental care from the very first tooth can make a lot of things easier. Because a preventive appointment is at its best when there is no need for treatment.
dental care
Since the tooth devils, excuse the tooth enamel damaging bacteria, now times toothbrush and toothpaste fear, their regular use is a good helper on the way to stress-free dentist appointments. This is because tooth decay on milk teeth can cause damage to the permanent teeth. The devil is in the detail: caries in the milk teeth spreads quickly in the mouth. This means that penetrating permanent teeth can also be attacked. The care of the milk teeth is thus by no means to be neglected with the argument that these are only placeholders. This is where the foundation stone is laid.
5 dental care tips for children
- Frequent change of toothbrush (2-3 times per quarter)
- Clean at least twice a day.
- Balanced and low-sugar nutrition
- Also clean the tongue to remove bacteria and deposits.
- The spaces between the teeth are cleaned with dental floss.
Post-cleaning during the entire primary school period
Please brush up – even older children are not necessarily able or patient enough to brush in such a way that all plaque on each individual tooth is removed. So please clean at least once a day (don’t forget to praise). Always clean teeth in the same order (e.g. top right first, then left, then bottom right, then left). This way every tooth gets its turn.
KAI Toothbrush Instructions
Clean properly – best according to the KAI scheme. KAI stands for:
K = chewing surfaces “back and forth, back and forth – brushing your teeth is not difficult!” A = Outsides “From red to white always in a circle!” I = Insides “Wiping and sweeping brings a big blessing to children’s teeth”.
The first visit to the dentist
It is best to go to the dentist as early as possible. If nothing more than “reinspection” is required during the first visits to the dentist, the child can build trust in the dentist right from the start. It makes sense to take the child with you to your own – harmless visit to the dentist. Then it sees immediately, aha, nothing happens at all further; all excitement in vain. At best it will soon be boring.
Speaking of excitement: Your own tension is quickly transferred to your offspring. If you are uncomfortable going to the dentist yourself, don’t be afraid to take support with you. A quiet, familiar person can work wonders and answer all the child’s questions in peace. By the way, even older siblings or a courageous friend can set a good example.
Further tips
- Talk about visiting the dentist. Sometimes a (picture) book can also help.
- Don’t comfort me beforehand. A “it won’t be bad” is more likely to cause anxiety than to calm you down. Perhaps it is only by doing so that you give your child the idea that he or she could get worse.
- Take heroes with you: Favourite cuddly toy packed? The familiar toy makes you stronger and may even assist you by opening your mouth first.
- Go regularly. Take the six-monthly check-ups. Then the look into your mouth becomes a habit.
What to do if my child refuses to go to the dentist?
And if something doesn’t work that way? The child does not want to open his mouth? Refuses any sympathy? Well … angry. Time-consuming to arrange a new appointment – but it is an investment in the future. Because if your child has the feeling that he won’t be forced to do anything at the dentist, it will pay off at some point. Only one thing is certain: pressure or reproach is the safest way to make the next visit to the dentist difficult.
Create trust!
And if looking isn’t enough anymore? As unpleasant as some things may be, honesty is the highest maxim. When the doctor announces: “It doesn’t hurt at all” and then a painful experience follows, the child has already “fallen into the well”. The trust would be permanently damaged. And: pain can usually be better overcome if the child has been “warned”.
When treatment becomes necessary: Try to explain it in a child-friendly way. Most children are not big fans of drills and syringes. Look for comparisons that are less scary: The drill at the dentist only spoons the soft, broken material out of the tooth on the surface. And the syringe pricks once very briefly. A sleeping pill then leaves the affected tooth unnoticed. That’s more pleasant, isn’t it?
Either way, you should always discuss this with your dentist beforehand. A good physician will respond to the child’s fears and act sensitively. If the fears are too great, a local anaesthetic may not be enough. In order to prevent trauma, general anaesthesia or treatment in twilight sleep is advisable to protect the child from unnecessary pain and stress. However, this alternative should only take place in exceptional cases.
And in the end, don’t forget to praise and reward.
Helpful links on the subject of children at the dentist’s
If all this doesn’t help: Don’t be discouraged, some children are and remain suspicious of everything medical, so that even taking off the white coat, which some doctors try to do in the children’s consultation, remains unsuccessful.