Children have the same health rights as adults. No exception to dental health. The assumption that the child's teeth will be replaced with adult teeth makes parents to underestimate the teeth of children who have been damaged.

"Later teeth will also be replaced with adult teeth."  That's what they think

the challenges are to make children not afraid of dentists.

However, parents have the roles of habits in the habit of controlling children from daily activities. This habit will make children feel familiar with dentists. The things parents can do are:

Take care of the child's teeth and do a self-examination at home.

The child is more comfortable with dentist care if the child is used to experiencing it at home. Parents can start getting used to by helping clean their teeth from infancy. Cleaning the baby's mouth can be started by using sterile gauze/bandages wrapped around the fingers. Dip in warm water then gently wipe after drinking milk/formula milk. For older infants, it can be helped with a finger tooth bursh which is sold freely at pharmacies or baby supply stores. Then for the next ages, introduce with a child's toothbrush. This is the time the child will learn to clean his own teeth.

Take the time also to do a simple examination and explain to children about dental health with child language. Make sure everything that the parents do must be accompanied by a verbal explanation so that the child understands.

Parents must be able to be an example

Children will always make their parents as an example. They are good imitators and by the process of imitating it, habits will form.

Encourage children when parents are brushing their teeth. Make it a routine activity. Every morning after waking up and at night before going to sleep. Make sure children always see the routine of parents when brushing their teeth.

Use positive and non-frightening language

Don't scare your child with scary words about treatment at the dentist. Say that a dentist will help load healthy, beautiful / handsome and painless teeth.

There is a habit in the community that always gives warnings to children who are stubborn with threats: if you become a bad boy later you will be injected by the doctor. This is dangerous because it makes the image of a doctor a person whose job is to punish bad boys. When the child really needs to visit the doctor, the child will be traumatized because he feels he is being punished for his misbehavior.

Explain dental health with a variety of learning media.

Read story books about how to maintain healthy teeth. Telling in fairy tale form will make the child's imagination more active. Children's educational videos can also be used so that children can see visually.

Give appreciation or gifts

To give appreciation and enthusiasm to do better, parents can give appreciation in the form of words, praise or even gifts. But if the child is still not cooperative, do not give punishment or criticism that is not constructive. Perhaps the child does not understand and has not yet grown the urgency to do what has been exemplified. Try to give a different approach to what they need. This can be done while working on certain hobbies or interests of the child. 

Begin to introduce the dentist to the child

Good habits that must be seen, studied and imitated children are regular dental check-up habits. Invite your child when making regular visits to the dentist to see how you are handled by a dentist. Parents' anxiety about a treatment will easily be read by children. So do not show anxiety, or expressions that indicate concern when being treated by a dentist.

Source:

1. https://www.ibupedia.com/artikel/balita/usia-paling-tepat-mengajak-anak-ke-dokter-gigi 

2. https://www.cnnindonesia.com/gaya-hidup/20170228171402-255-196820/pentingnya-orang-tua-peduli-perawatan-gigi-anak-sejak-dini 

3. https://www.liputan6.com/health/read/3549303/si-kecil-takut-ke-dokter-gigi-harus-apa