Feeling a little apprehension when visiting the dentist is pretty typical, even though we are all very friendly here at West Bowmanville Family Dental! However, more substantial dental fear and anxiety are unfortunately fairly common among adults and can prevent people from receiving the essential dental care they need. Quite often these fears may even have developed in childhood, and it is something we strive very hard to prevent. If you do have a young child who feels a bit nervous about the thought of seeing a dentist in Newcastle, then we have a few simple tips to help you prepare them.

Preparing Your Child to Visit the Dentist


Ideally, it is best not to wait for signs of problems before bringing them to visit us. Otherwise, your kid’s first dental visit could be when they are in discomfort or even pain, and it is an association that could potentially stay with them for years.

When preparing your child to see a dentist, focus on the positives of professional dental care without making it seem too much of a big deal. The idea is to ensure children grow up seeing ongoing preventative dental care as a routine part of life, just like any regular medical checkup. If your child already has some dental discomfort, then explain that a dentist Clarington can help to fix it, so they feel better. A visit to the dentist should never be used as a threat, no matter a child’s resistance to brushing or flossing, or whenever they want something sugary and sticky!

Beginning Dental Visits Early in Life


We recommend dental visits begin at age three. At this age, your child will already have some of their primary or milk teeth and will hopefully have a healthy curiosity about any new environment. You can trust our friendly dental team to treat your little one as gently as we would our own child, and we always go out of our way to ensure they have a positive experience that is as much fun as possible. We love seeing kids!

During their first visit, they will get a ride in the dental chair, and we will very gently examine their mouth. If you have questions about how to look after their teeth, then please don’t hesitate to ask because we always enjoy educating our patients. If you are a first-time parent, we can discuss toothbrushing and flossing techniques and strategies, and which toothpaste and toothbrush are best to use. We can also talk to you about other factors that can affect dental health, such as medications and diet.

Teaching Your Child How to Look After Their Teeth


As your child grows up, they will want to brush and floss on their own but will most likely require supervision to ensure they are doing it correctly. One way we can help is by working with your kid, showing them the proper brushing and flossing techniques right from the start so that they grow up knowing exactly how to look after their teeth, and why it is so important too!

If your child already has some fear or anxieties, then let up help them. Our dentist in Courtice is hugely experienced at assisting nervous patients of all ages. With the right dental care, any fear can be conquered! A healthy smile is a tremendous asset at any age, and we aim to ensure your child beams with confidence at every dental visit.