How do you persuade a 2 year old child to go to the dentist ?

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Prepare your child If possible, schedule morning appointments so young children are alert and fresh. Prepare a preschooler or older child for the visit by giving him or her a general idea of what to expect. Explain why it is important to go to the dentist. Build excitement and understanding. Prepare yourself Discuss your questions and concerns with the dentist. Remember that your feeling toward dental visits can be quite different from your child's. Be honest with your view of the dentist. If you have dental anxieties, be careful not to relate those fears or dislikes to the child. Parents need to give moral support by staying calm while in the dental exam room. Children can pick up parents' anxieties and become anxious themselves. Prepare the dentist At the first visit, give the dentist your child's complete medical history. For a restoration visit, like getting a cavity filled, tell the dentist if your child has stubborn, defiant, anxious, or fearful traits in other life experiences. Watch how your child reacts. Many parents are able to anticipate their child's possible response to certain situations and should inform the dentist. Certain behaviors may be linked to the age of your child: 10 to 24 months. Some securely attached children may experience developmental separation and become upset when taken from their parents for an exam. 2 to 3 years. A securely attached child may be able to cope with a brief separation from parents. In a 2-year-old, "no" may be a common response. 3 years. Three-year-olds should not be expected to accept separation from their parents for restoration treatment procedures like getting a cavity filled. This is because most 3-year-olds are not socially mature enough to separate from parents. 4 years. Most children should be able to sit separately from parents for exams and treatment procedures. The first visit Your child's first dental visit is to help your child feel comfortable with the dentist. The first dental visit is recommended by 12 months of age, or after several baby teeth have erupted. The first visit usually lasts 30 to 45 minutes. Depending on your child's age, the visit may include a thorough exam of the teeth, jaws, bite, gums, and oral tissues to check growth and development. If needed, your child may also have a gentle cleaning. This includes polishing teeth and removing any plaque, tartar, and stains. The dentist may show you and your child proper home cleaning like flossing, and advise you on the need for fluoride. Because baby teeth fall out, X-rays aren’t usually recommended for diagnosing decay. X-rays are used to see if the root of a jammed baby tooth may be affecting an adult tooth. In general, it is best not to use X-rays in young children unless absolutely necessary.

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