It is common for children to fear visits to a dental office. There can be different reasons for the fear. Some children might have had an unpleasant experience before, or just the idea of undergoing any kind of medical procedure or intrusion might seem scary. In any case, these fears tend to make dental visits very challenging. Below, we cover dental anxiety tips for kids.

Dental Anxiety Tips for Kids

In this article, we go through the nature of these fears and give dental anxiety tips for kids to ensure that their visits to a dentist are productive.

The Nature of Dental Anxiety

Dental anxiety is a fear of visiting the dentist’s office. Some children might have fears associated with a specific procedure. For example, the sound of a dental drill can bring about the fear of strong pain. For other children, the idea of a needle being inserted into a part of their body seems terrifying. Many children are scared of the mere idea of going to a doctor.

The truth is that these fears are connected to the natural survival instinct in a child and are not something out of the ordinary. Subconsciously, children try to avoid any intrusion from outside.

Unfortunately, when the child is anxious and upset, it makes the procedure, or even a simple check-up, hard for both the child and the doctor. On top of that, if the child doesn’t learn how to cope with their dentist-related anxiety now, it might only increase with time.

Also, avoiding going to the dentist can lead to oral health issues that might need more expensive treatments later on. In addition, the repeated avoidance of dental treatments will only strengthen the anxiety.

Why Children Are Afraid of Dentists

There are several reasons why fear of dentists might be the case:

A learned fear from relatives, who are also anxious about dental visits and mentioned it around the child
Seeing other children being afraid of dentists on TV or among their peers
A memory of previous painful visits
The unfamiliar and often unpleasant smell of a medical office
Insufficient preparation by parents for the first dental visit

Dos and Don’ts in Cases of Dental Anxiety

Do not reprimand the child.

As we mentioned before, the fear of any intrusion into the body has its roots in the natural and absolutely normal survival instincts of a child. Unfortunately, children do not tend to have the reasoning adults have yet. They are just afraid of pain or harm that might be done to them, so they try to protect themselves by crying and screaming.

Thus, it is very important for parents to understand that these fears seem reasonable and justified for the child and to try to avoid scolding the child for them. Reprimanding the child will increase the level of anxiety even more.

Try to Calm the Child Down

A calm, natural, and assured demeanor of a parent will likely make the child feel calmer and secure, too. Try not to act anxiously or in an irritated manner yourself. Then, the child will feel that there is not that much to worry about after all.

Prepare the Child for the Visit

There are different ways to go about preparing your child for the visit. You can try telling or reading a child stories about dental visits that are meant to alleviate the stress. Make it sound like a fun adventure rather than a trial.

There are also some special toys and games available. You can play out a dental visit at home, preparing the child for what might occur during the procedure. You can even have a child pretend to be a dentist themselves.

Educate your child in easy-to-understand terms. Tell them in a positive manner why the visit is important and how it is good for them. Tell them about what they can expect at the dental office. If a child asks you a question, answer honestly. You might also carefully prepare the child for some unpleasant but not harmful sensations that might occur so that they are not surprised by them and do not break into tears at the appointment. You can also find images related to positive dental visits and show them to the child.

Do Not Enforce Oral Hygiene by Making a Child Scared of Dentists

Parents want to make sure that their child brushes their teeth properly. Sometimes, parents warn the child of a dental procedure that will happen if they do not maintain good oral hygiene. This will only terrify the child of anything related to dentistry. Try to use positive reinforcement instead, not portray dental procedures as a punishment for not brushing their teeth well. There are toothbrushes and other tools developed specifically to make children interested in keeping their mouth clean.

Bring a Toy Along to the Appointment

Having a favorite toy with them can reassure the child and make them feel more secure and calm.

Come up With a Reward for Going to the Dentist

It might be a good idea to tell your child that you are going to do something they like together after the appointment. It will help give the child motivation to endure the procedure.

Find the Right Pediatric Dentist

Pediatric dentistry is a special branch of medical training. An experienced pediatric dentist knows how to work with kids and how to create a positive and calming environment. Pediatric dentists have special training related to a child’s dental care. This will ensure a more productive visit and a positive experience for your child.

Make an appointment with one of our experienced pediatric DTLA dentists at Samaritan Dental for a check-up or treatment for your child.