Some kids just have a dental phobia. They could have experienced a bad experience, or maybe a family member taught them to be anxious. As an adult, your child’s inability to manage stress may become an issue if they cannot keep adult dental visits.
Let’s find out why some kids have dental anxiety and get pediatric dentist-approved advice on how to handle your child’s nervousness so that the appointment goes well.
What’s Dental anxiety?
Dental anxiety is the tension or nervousness associated with going to the dentist. Anxiety related to dentistry may be unique to certain operations or instruments, such as needles or drills. Even yet, some kids may become anxious just by considering seeing the dentist.
Sadly, dental fear in childhood can cause adults to put off cleanings and checkups, which can result in serious oral health problems that require extensive care down the road. Avoidance frequently makes stress worse. Continuing the pattern, kids now have to deal with the parts of going to the dentist that terrify them the most, including getting local anesthesia or having a tooth extracted.
For this reason, addressing dental anxiety in childhood will benefit them later on. Parents may ensure that their children will not avoid seeing the dentist as adults by assisting their children in developing coping strategies or completely eliminating dental fear.
Why do some kids have dental anxiety?
The dentist may terrify kids for a variety of reasons. Anxiety in certain kids might surface due to a variety of situations, including visiting the dentist. Youngsters often pick up on their parents or siblings’ phobia of the dentist.
This anxiety may also result from additional sources, such as:
- The recollection of an agonizing past event
- The way the steel dental tools feel or appear on their teeth
- The dental office’s aroma or view
- Avoiding visits for preventive care
- Concern over the expense of dental visits
- Insufficient readiness for the initial dental appointment
How To Assist Your Youngster In Overcoming Dental Anxiety?
Help your child manage dental anxiety by discussing the upcoming dental appointment with them beforehand. Even for a routine checkup, it’s important to explain what will happen, especially if a more involved procedure is planned.
Answer your child’s questions honestly, using simple and reassuring language. To make them feel more comfortable, you can show them pictures of the dentist’s office, the dental chair, the overhead light, and some of the tools that may be used. This helps them understand what to expect in a non-threatening way.
To give your kids something to look forward to, you may also discuss with them the item or game they will get as a reward following their checkups. Additional strategies for easing children’s dental anxiety include:
- Never use the possibility of dental work as a justification for poor oral hygiene.
- Bringing a comfort blanket or toy to the dentist for your youngster.
- Locating games or tales about going to the dentist.
- Locating a dentist with particular training in managing nervous people.
The American Dental Association has further advice for parents who are anxious about their teeth.
Use Positive Reinforcement For Dental Hygiene
Encourage good oral care habits with positive reinforcement. While it may seem effective to warn your child about needing a big dental procedure if they don’t brush, this can actually increase their fear of the dentist and lead to avoidance later in life. Instead, focus on rewarding proper oral hygiene.
Try using fun toothbrushes that play a song as a timer or offer small rewards for maintaining consistent oral care routines at home. This approach helps create a positive association with dental health.
Bring a Soothing Object or Toy With You To Your Dentist Visit
Bring a comforting item, like a favorite stuffed animal or toy, to your child’s dental appointment to help ease their stress and fear. It can provide a sense of security during the visit. You can also call the dentist’s office ahead of time to discuss your child’s anxiety and confirm if it’s okay to bring the item.
Many dental offices even have their own collection of toys or stuffed animals for children to hold, ensuring it doesn’t interfere with the dentist or hygienist’s work.
Play Games or Read Tales About Trips To The Dentist
Reading stories or playing games about dentist visits can be an effective way to reduce your child’s anxiety. Roleplaying a dental visit at home using toy dentist toolkits can make the experience more fun and familiar.
Get a Professional Pediatric Dentist
Ask your general dentist for a referral to a pediatric dentist. With two extra years of specialized training in pediatric dentistry, pediatric dentists address children’s unique needs and create a comfortable, child-friendly environment. This ensures a more positive experience for both parents and kids.
Lastly, it will be beneficial to educate and reinforce good oral hygiene practices, such as scheduling regular dentist visits in advance. Your youngster should know that there is nothing to be afraid of and that the dentist and dental hygienist want to help them maintain healthy teeth.
