How to Encourage a Loved One to See a Dentist

Even if you value dental care, the folks closest to you may feel differently. Many people have a spouse, adult child, or other family member who refuses to see a dentist. With that said, what should you do to convince them to get the treatment(s) they need? Your Colleyville dental practice takes this matter seriously, so we’re here to offer some guidance. Just keep reading to learn how to encourage a loved one to see a dentist.

Understand Their Resistance

Before anything else, you must understand your loved one’s resistance to dental care. Efforts to get them in the dentist’s chair won’t work otherwise.

Common reasons people avoid dentists include:

• They Lack Time: Lots of people are busy, so they struggle to carve out time in their schedules for an appointment.
• They Think It’s Pricey: Even with insurance, a person may think dental work would be too expensive.
• They’re Scared: Some believe dental treatment will hurt, or that it involves getting bad news.

Highlight Positive Experiences

Once you’ve grasped their reasons, try sharing positive dental stories with your loved one. Doing so can make them feel more optimistic about an appointment.

The stories in question could emphasize various factors. For instance, you could explain how your own most recent checkup was painless because the dental team was attentive. You might also outline how the visit was comfortable thanks to cutting-edge dental technology. There’s also the idea of highlighting how warm and friendly the attending dentist was.

Educate Without Lecturing

If stories aren’t enough, educate your loved one about the role of dental checkups. Just make sure your teaching doesn’t devolve into lecturing or badgering.

The truth is that many don’t see the value of dental checkups or how oral health impacts their lives. Given this reality, sharing details about the risks of neglecting one’s smile can be helpful. Knowing how plaque causes cavities, gum disease, tooth loss, and other issues will often make one want to see a dentist. So, give your loved one resources to help them see the importance of maintaining their teeth.

Offer Your Support

Another idea is to offer your loved one moral support for their visit. When they know you’re “in their corner,” they may become willing to book and attend an appointment.

The thought of being alone can easily increase a person’s dental anxiety. Indeed, a treatment may feel more terrifying because you aren’t near the ones you trust. The “solution,” then, is sometimes to accompany your loved one to their appointment. As they see you right beside them, they’ll have more courage to get a required dental treatment.

Even with the tips above, changes don’t happen overnight. Be patient and persistent in the hope your loved one eventually gets crucial dental care.

About the Practice

The DFW Implant Center is based in Colleyville, TX. Led by Drs. Branberg or Cancemi, our practice is mainly geared toward dentures, dental implants, and other tooth replacement options. Still, we make sure to offer preventive and general dentistry to ensure patients get comprehensive care. That means our team is ready to address any and every one of your smile’s needs! more details or to book a visit, please contact us on our website or by phone at (817)-440-7133.