Does your child experience fear and anxiety when it comes to dental appointments? From the youngest of toddlers to teenagers, dental visits can make even the most confident children feel anxious.
Many parents have expressed concern about how to handle their child’s fear during a dental visit. Unfortunately, this fear often leads to parents delaying or avoiding dental appointments for their children.
How Parents Can Help Overcome Dental Anxiety in Children
Understanding and addressing your child’s dental fears is an important part of helping your child maintain good oral health! Let’s dive into the strategies that you can use to help your child cope with dental phobia.
Be Open About Upcoming Visits
Open communication between you and your child is crucial, however, it’s important to strike a balance and adopt a “less is more” approach.
While it’s necessary to inform your child about upcoming dentist visits, providing too many details may lead to a flood of questions that you may not feel equipped to answer. To create a more relaxed mindset before the dental appointment, we recommend using positive language and gentle phrases, such as:
- “The dentist is going to take some pictures of your teeth to see how beautiful your smile is.”
- “The dentist is going to make your teeth shine and sparkle.”
- “Your tooth is feeling a bit sick, so the dentist is going to gently apply some medicine to it to make it feel all better.”
It’s also important to refrain from using words that may unnecessarily instill fear, such as “needle,” “drill,” or “hurt.”
If you’re looking for some helpful tips to prepare your child for their upcoming dental visit, be sure to check out our reading guide! This guide is packed with practical advice and insights to help your child feel more comfortable and confident about their appointment. You can download it right here and start reading today!
Set a Good Example
Parents have a significant role in helping their little ones overcome dental anxiety, and setting a positive example can make a world of difference. You can help them imagine treating a dental visit just like a routine trip to the store, where there’s no reason for them to suspect anything scary or even painful.
Kids are like little sponges, absorbing the vibes and cues from the people around them. So, if you (or their siblings) make negative comments or display fear about dental visits, you can bet that your child will start associating the dentist with an unpleasant experience and react accordingly.
To counter this, take a proactive approach. Show your child pictures of the dental office and friendly staff on their website, to create a sense of familiarity on the day of the appointment.
Additionally, talk to your child about the importance of maintaining healthy teeth and gums, emphasizing the long-term benefits. Highlight how the dentist is there to help them achieve this goal.
Bring a Comfort Item
Whether it’s a favorite stuffed animal, a cozy blanket, or a special toy, having something familiar by their side can provide a sense of security and reassurance during the dental visit.
This beloved item acts as a companion, which offers a source of distraction as well as comfort in an unfamiliar environment. So, encourage your child to choose their favorite comfort item and bring it along to their next dental appointment.
Use Positive Reinforcement
Positive reinforcement is a powerful tool in helping children overcome dental anxiety while promoting cooperative behavior. By using praise and encouragement, you can create a supportive and motivating atmosphere during dental visits. Celebrate your child’s bravery and cooperation throughout the appointment, acknowledging their efforts to stay calm and follow the dentist’s instructions.
Start Early
Regular dental check-ups starting as early as the first tooth eruption or by their first birthday will help normalize the dental experience for your little one. As your child becomes accustomed to these routine visits, they begin to view the dental office as a familiar and safe place, reducing anxiety as they grow older.
Choose The Right Pediatric Dentist
At our practice, we understand the unique needs of young patients and aim to ensure that dental visits are as positive and stress-free as possible, helping them overcome dental anxiety and foster a lifelong commitment to oral health.
Our highly trained staff specializes in creating a comfortable and supportive environment for your child. Our team knows how to adapt procedures and explanations to a child’s level of understanding to ensure that they feel at ease throughout their visit.
We go the extra mile to make sure that nothing appears scary to a child. For example, sharp dental tools and needles are used out of their line of sight while using child-friendly terms like “tooth counter” or “sleepy juice” to describe them.
We also introduce other tools, such as suctions and water syringes, in a non-threatening manner, giving them friendly names like “Mr. Thirsty” and “Mr. Water.” Moreover, we employ distraction techniques, captivating our young patients with entertaining stories related to their interests or favorite activities.
Sedation Options for Anxious Patients
We understand that despite our best efforts, there may be instances when the above strategies alone are not sufficient to ease a child’s anxiety. In such cases, we offer a variety of safe and effective sedation options for children.
We prioritize open communication with parents and always involve them in the decision-making process. Parental consent is sought before any sedation is administered, ensuring that everyone is on the same page and comfortable with the chosen approach.
Please call our office at 337-443-9944 if you would like more information about our pediatric sedation dentistry options.
Going to the dentist can be an intimidating experience for children. That’s why our friendly staff at Lafayette Pediatric Dentistry always strives to create a pleasant experience for everyone involved when visiting the dentist! If you want the best of both worlds – excellent dental care for your child plus happy visits, request an appointment with us today!