How to make dentist visits easier for children

Trying to get children to go to the dentist can yield results that range from silent anxiety and fear to major crying jags and temper tantrums.

The experts at The Chicago Dental Society recently polled more than 300 dentists and issued these tips for parents to make dentist trips easier on little ones:

•Start dental visits early. Many dentists recommend starting from as early as 6 months or about the same time the child's first tooth appears. Visiting the dentist at a young age will help the child to develop positive associations with the experience.

•Don't make it such a "big deal." Parents set the stage for the dental visit and can be the culprit for any fears their child experiences. Be wary of making children think the dentist is scary before they even go. Let them form their own opinions.

•Entertain while waiting. Play with toys, watch cartoons, or fill out coloring books in the waiting room with children. This will help distract them from feeling scared and will also help calm the parent down too.

•Relax. Children can pick up on their parents' anxieties. Remember this is an important part of a child's health.

This story is provided by State Point Media.