Some children have dental anxiety. They may have had a stressful dental experience earlier in their lives, have heard scary stories about dental care, or just have an anxious nature when receiving certain types of healthcare. Many kids are stressed because they are unfamiliar with the dental procedures they have to undergo, which is perfectly natural.
No matter where it comes from, dental anxiety can make it hard for children to get the dental care they need for a bright, healthy smile. Left unaddressed, dental anxiety can follow kids into adulthood and prevent them from keeping dental appointments later in life.
Fortunately, managing dental anxiety is easier than you might think. Our pediatric dentist in Columbus has some tips and techniques for addressing children’s dental fear.
At Hines Little Smiles Pediatric Dentistry, we have helped countless patients manage their dental anxiety, and our pediatric dentist in New Albany is glad to help your child feel comfortable in our dental office.
Kids remember what adults say and do, and many children develop dental anxiety after hearing scary stories about dental care. Avoid sharing any bad experiences you may have had as a child, as dentistry is significantly more advanced and pain-free than ever before. And, of course, don’t use the “threat” of dental care as a punishment for not brushing their teeth.
Playtime is a great time to introduce your child to new ideas, such as visiting the dentist. Let them pretend to be the dentist working on their stuffed toys’ teeth or your teeth, then switch roles. Practice different noises you might hear in a dental office, counting teeth, and sitting calmly in the dental chair.
Whether it is a simple checkup or a significant procedure, discuss with your child about how the appointment might go. Describe the process in comfortable, easy-to-understand language; avoid using negative words, such as “drill” or “shot.” Invite them to ask questions and answer honestly.
Holding a toy, a blanket, or other small item can bring a great amount of comfort to a stressed-out kid. Be sure it is clean and easy to hold.
After their visit, offer a reward for good behavior and courage during their dental appointment. The reward may be a visit to a nearby park or their favorite dinner.
No matter how careful you are to create a calm, stress-free world for your child, they will feel anxiety at different times throughout life. Teaching them stress relief techniques can help them get through dentist visits and other stressful situations. Stress relief techniques for kids may include:
Managing your child’s dental anxiety is so much easier with the help of a pediatric dentist! At Hines Little Smiles Pediatric Dentistry, we also offer sedation dentistry for little ones who are very anxious or have special needs that would prevent them from receiving care. We take pride in personalizing our approach for each child!
Call 614-475-5439 or request an appointment online to set up your first visit. We’ll be in touch soon.
