Coping with dental anxiety isn’t always easy, and calming your child’s anxiety can be even more difficult. But visiting the dentist doesn’t have to be scary. Your child’s dentist wants your child to look forward to dental appointments so they can learn proper hygiene habits and maintain their oral health.
Fortunately, there are tried-and-true methods to manage dental anxiety, including ones ideal for your child. Many of these techniques start at home before leaving for your appointment, so it’s important to begin today!
What Is Dental Anxiety?
Dental anxiety is a fear of going to the dentist, and it can cause your child to feel distress, discomfort, and panic. What’s more, childhood dental anxiety could evolve into a more severe problem as your child becomes an adult, causing them to avoid necessary dental care.
What’s Causing Your Child’s Dental Anxiety?
Children aren’t born with dental fear. However, experience with a past event can make your child feel apprehensive about dental treatment. Sometimes, a child has dental anxiety because their parents do!
Common reasons your child may have a dental anxiety include:
- A previous negative experience at the dentist
- The dental instruments look scary
- Loud, unfamiliar sounds
- The thought of getting a shot
- Lack of preparation before the first visit
Regardless of what causes your child’s anxiety, you must communicate their fears to the dental office so their dentist can take appropriate care. Kids who fear the dentist could need extra help to get through their appointments.
How You Can Help Your Child Manage Their Dental Anxiety
Several tips you can follow will help ease your child’s dental anxiety and make their appointments go as smoothly as possible.
Have an Open Conversation
Talking to your child about why they may fear the dentist is an excellent first step. It lets you know what’s making them nervous and allows them to share their worries. Listening to your child can be enough to make them feel better about facing their fears.
Explain what will happen at their appointment using age-appropriate language so your child can understand you. Encourage them to ask you questions, and do your best to answer them while avoiding scary words that can add to their concerns. As always, speak with positive words and phrases so your child will have positive expectations.
Visit the Office Before Starting Care
Some offices recommend a special appointment called a “happy visit.” During this appointment, your child won’t have any work done. Instead, they will meet the dental team, including the dentist, and tour the office. They may get to touch some of the equipment and see how it works so they won’t be afraid when it’s time to return.
By scheduling this visit, you help minimize any fears your child has. Encourage your child to ask questions, and don’t hesitate to ask any questions you have!
Read Dentistry Books or Watch Videos
The best way to make a trip to the dentist less stressful for your child is to manage their expectations. To educate them about the experience, try reading age-appropriate books or watching kid-friendly videos about dental offices with them.
The internet is a great place to find child-friendly educational videos about dentistry. Your local library may also have children’s books that you can read together. Talking about what’s happening in the video or book can help your child feel more comfortable.[1]
Bring a Comfort Item to the Appointment
Many children have a comfort item, like a blanket or a favorite stuffed animal. They tend to feel safer when they bring this along for the visit. Eventually, they may become comfortable enough in the office and no longer need to bring it.
It is best to let your child determine when they no longer require their comfort item. Abruptly removing it could make them uncomfortable in the office again. If your child is getting older and you want to try eliminating the item, gradually reduce its presence.
Don’t Schedule a Visit During Lunch or Nap Time
Just like adults, kids can quickly become upset when hungry or tired. Because of this, it’s wise not to schedule a dental appointment around lunch or nap time. If a child is already anxious, being tired and hungry will only worsen the situation.
Before their appointment, put your child to bed on time to help them get a proper night’s rest. When they wake up, let them eat a filling, healthy breakfast. If necessary, feed them a few nutritious snacks before the appointment.
Find a Compassionate Dentist for Your Child
Finding the right dentist can significantly decrease your child’s fears. Call 585-671-1650 and schedule an appointment with the team at Empire Dental Care. We provide gentle care to help your child get the treatment they need.
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