Many people expect their teens to be more mature than a few years ago. However, many of them can still throw an occasional tantrum, often more susceptible to mood swings.
It can be harder to reassure teens too. Sadly, many of them can have a pessimistic outlook on life and cannot be swayed by happy songs in the car or small gifts when home. Negotiating is more challenging and can even seem futile in some cases.
Still, your teen must look after their oral hygiene. You must not give hope. Consequently, here are some ways you can help your teen feel better about their dentist appointments.
Mention Dentistry Developments
Braces are sometimes needed to straighten teeth. However, developments in these practices have been made, and teens have more subtle strategies at their disposal.
For instance, teeth straightening options for kids expand somewhat by the time they reach 13 or 14 years of age. They can wear clear aligners by this time, depending on whether their adult teeth have erupted through their gums. Clear aligners are also removable and entirely invisible, which gives your teens more flexibility, control, and subtlety in straightening their teeth. Clear aligners are also cheaper, making the situation seem less high-pressure.
Assurances such as these may help your teen feel better about the dentist. They will not need to worry about having an elaborate apparatus fixed to their face, and they can generally continue life, as usual, should they need their teeth straightened. For example, they may not need to avoid harder or chewier foods for months. Plus, you can mention other procedures that they may be interested in, such as teeth whitening in naples. It is that time in their life that they’re overly conscious about how they look, so talking about how it could help them will make the conversation more collaborative.
Ask About Internet Usage
Many teens’ fears can be derived from what they have seen online. Social media can give them a constant feed of misinformation and worst-case scenarios around any circumstance.
Unfortunately, overconsumption of the internet can begin for kids as young as 8 today. Still, your teens are more likely to feast their eyes on endless streams of content. If they have a fear of the dentist and seem closed off about it, it may be worth gently asking them about what they have seen and read online.
You can also counter their information by recommending reliable and accredited resources. Send them reassuring links to government resources and data that has come from authenticated healthcare professionals. That way, they may have a more accurate perception of whatever oral health concern they are experiencing, from simple checkups to treatment possibilities.
Be Patient
Teens can have bad tempers. You can avoid exacerbating matters by refusing to equate their frustrations with your own.
There can be many reasons your teen faces difficulties when attending dentist appointments. It is very rarely down to idleness alone. Many people can experience a crippling fear of these environments, be worried about potential pain, or what any changes might mean for their social prospects. It would help if you tried to be sensitive of these potential issues.
Try to be kind and understanding to your teen. Mention any of your own past or current fears about attending dentist appointments in the past. Detail how you overcame them. The more you can empathize and establish common ground, the more likely you can persuade them to attend their appointment.
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