Northwest Indiana Family Dentistry Tips: Six Ways to Get Your Child to Love Dental Care!

Childrens brushing teeth with mother

Are you concerned about your child’s teeth because they’re reluctant to see the dentist? If so, there are many ways you can help your child overcome their dental anxiety. Try out our six easy tips. Then make an appointment with the experienced Northwest Indiana family dentists of Smiles of Valparaiso. Smiles of Valparaiso is a leading Northwest Indiana Family Dentistry. Their friendly team is great with children. Smiles of Valparaiso welcomes families throughout Valparaiso, IN, Portage, Porter, La Porte, Michigan City, Wheeler, and surrounding NWI cities.

Start Early- You should start bringing your child in for regular dental checkups as soon as their first tooth appears. That’s usually around age one. The earlier your child begins to see the dentist, the less apprehensive they’ll be as they get older.
Make it fun- Make your child’s dentist appointments into a fun event that they can look forward to.
Play Pretend- Encourage your child to role-play their visit. Find games, costumes, and stories related to dental health and dental careers that can help familiarize them with the dentist.
Be Positive- Even if you have developed dental fears or anxieties, don’t pass them on to your children. Always help them see the value in taking good care of their teeth and getting routine preventative checkups.
Always Validate- If your child has developed an apprehensive attitude towards dentist visits, acknowledge their fears, and let them know that it’s ok to be afraid. Always make the dentist aware of your child’s feelings so that they can partner with you to help your child overcome their fears.
Stay Consistent- Once you find a family dentist you are comfortable with, visit them regularly for your family’s checkups. If your child sees you go to the same dental office for your checkups, they’ll be more willing to go when it’s their turn because they’ll want to emulate your behavior.

Establishing a relationship with a family dentist office is vital to protecting your family’s dental health. If you’re looking for an experienced, compassionate, and family-friendly office, make an appointment with the highly qualified Northwest Indiana family dentists of Smiles of Valparaiso today. Smiles of Valparaiso proudly serve families throughout Valparaiso, IN, Portage, Porter, La Porte, Michigan City, Wheeler, and nearby NWI communities.