During childhood, just about everything is a new experience. In many cases, new experiences can be fun and exciting.  When it comes to dentistry, however, the words “fun” and “exciting” are nowhere to be seen or heard! The good news is that your child does not have to have fear of the dentist. Here, we will discuss if you tips on how to take the stress out of dentistry for your kids.

Choose a family dental office. In our Virginia Beach practice, about 25% of our patient population is under the age of 18. We take great pride in providing families who entrust their smiles to us with the utmost care. Having a dentist near Chesapeake, VA who sees every member of your family can make a difference for the child who is just entering into a lifetime of dental care. Seeing that you know and trust your family dentist, your child can approach dental care with greater ease.

Talk about oral health. One of the things that can make dentistry scary for children is not knowing about their teeth and their oral health in general, or what to expect when they see the dentist. Talking with your children about the importance of brushing and flossing, and about seeing the dentist, creates a sense of normalcy related to dental care. The familiarity that stems from the conversations you have at home translates into less fear associated with seeing the dentist. If you have questions about how to talk with your child about an upcoming dental visit, please feel free to call us for suggestions.

Meeting and greeting. One of the reasons that family dental offices are seemingly less frightening to children is because there is often a natural “meet and greet” that goes on before formal care begins. The child who is able to visit the dental office and meet the dentist and staff without the need for restorative care is the child who develops a healthy attitude towards dentistry and won’t have such fear of the dentist.

Your dentist near Norfolk, VA is a trusted resource for education and ongoing care. To schedule a visit with Dr. Hooper, call 757-417-7300 today.