DENTAL DILEMMAS – Dr Karim Rachidi from Synergy Dental Clinics helps with advice on dental problems

Q. How can I help my children stop being so scared of visiting the dentist?

A. Fear is an emotion we all feel in our lives from time to time. By definition, fear is something that is caused when we feel danger, threat or harm. When your child is apprehensive or scared of going to the dentist, it doesn’t always mean they’re scared of the dentist in particular.

The majority of times, it has to do with the myths that children are told as well as a genuine fear of the unknown. It could also be that they know their teeth may need some treatment, or they have genuinely had a negative experience and feel scared to go back in.

Either way, there are some methods you can try, to ensure they gradually begin to beat their fears.

Start them off young

You should try to introduce your child to the habit of visiting a dentist as early as the age of one, or when their first tooth erupts. The earlier they are able to identify with the routine of visiting a dentist, the more they will become subconsciously accustomed to it.

Be careful of what you say

Try not to be too vivid when describing what going to the dentist may entail. Dentists usually like to introduce their own terminology when explaining aspects of dental treatment and care.

Brace yourself for tantrums

It is absolutely normal for young children to whinge and whine when they don’t want to take part in something. The best thing to do is stay calm and let the dentists work their magic.

For more information about dental problems contact Synergy Dental

Clinic Blackburn, email blackburn@synergydental.org.uk or go to www.synergydental.org.uk/dentist-in-blackburn