How can you prevent your children from being scared of the dentist?

It's estimated that only around half of all children in the UK visit the dentist regularly. This is a worry because good dental health is so important for overall health and well-being. It is also key for children to visit the dentist to build robust dental hygiene practices and build a strong relationship with medical professionals.

There are many reasons why children may be fearful of the dentist. It could be that they're afraid of the unknown, or they may have had a bad experience in the past. We also notice many fearful children also have fearful parents. Whatever the reason, it's important to try and help your child overcome their fear.

Here are some tips on how to do this:

- Talk to your child about what to expect at the dentist. Let them know that it's nothing to be scared of and that the dentist just wants to help keep their teeth healthy.

- Bring them along to your appointments so they can see that there's nothing to be afraid of, your dentist will be sure to praise them for coming along.

- Choose a child-friendly dentist who has experience in dealing with scared children.

- Try positive reinforcement - praise your child when they're brave at the dentist or offer them a reward for being good. They may even get a sticker at the dentist for their bravery.

As a parent, you play a key role in helping your child overcome their fear of the dentist. By being supportive and understanding, you can make the whole experience a lot less daunting for them.

children need to visit the dentist regularly because it helps to prevent problems like tooth decay and gum disease. It also means that any problems can be caught early and treated quickly before they become more serious.

So if your child is scared of the dentist, don't put off their appointments - try and help them overcome their fear so they can get the dental care they need. Remember check-ups are far less scary than intrusive treatments that could have been avoided with preventative care.