Let’s be honest—from a child’s point of view, the dentist’s office can be a pretty scary place. There you are lying in a chair that is probably much too big for you, you’re surrounded by unfamiliar sights and sounds, and then a doctor wearing a mask and holding a pointy instrument wants to look in your mouth. (It’s enough to scare adults and often it does!) That’s why Dr. Holmes and Dr. Revel strive to help children and their moms and dads feel at ease when they come to our office for an appointment. In fact, as the children’s dentist Pasadena parents entrust their youngsters’ smile to, we’d like to offer some advice on how you can calm your child’s fears, so their visit to the dentist will generate happy memories.
Tips from the Pasadena Children’s Dentist
- Get an early start. Dr. Holmes and Dr. Revel recommend that you start bringing your son or daughter to the dentist before he or she turns five years old—even earlier if there seems to be a problem. We want them to think of our practice as their “dental home” where all of their oral healthcare needs will be taken care of by our friendly staff.
- Watch your mouth. Believe it or not, there are naughty words in dentistry. These include shot, hurt or pain or any reference to them. Keep your explanations brief and simple. Something like, “the dentist is going to look at your smile and count your teeth,” may be all that’s necessary. The fewer details, the better.
- Pretend at home. Before your child’s appointment with the Pasadena family dentist, play dentist at home. Brush his teeth, count them and have him look in a mirror to see his clean and white smile. Then, let your child play dentist with a stuffed animal or doll. If your child is familiar with what a dentist does, then they are more likely to be comfortable when they see a real dentist.
- Emphasize good oral hygiene at home. What we do in the office is really an extension of the oral hygiene you and your family practice at home. Therefore, be vigilant about having your children brush and floss. And make sure they understand that seeing the dentist is not a choice, but a necessity.
Call Our Office Today
If your child needs to see a dentist, then call Pasadena Family Dentistry to schedule an appointment. We provide care that is friendly, professional and fun to families seeking children’s dentistry in Pasadena, TX, as well as Deer Park, La Porte, Clear Lake, South Houston, Channelview, and the surrounding areas.