Dental anxiety is very common among children. In fact, according to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, 25% of children suffer from dental anxiety. Dental anxiety can delay your child’s dental visits and affect his or her oral health.
For children, communicating their fears and concerns with a dentist may be difficult. Some may just refuse to see the dentist altogether. It’s important to understand that dental anxiety in children is very real. Fortunately, there are several steps you can take as a parent to manage your child’s dental anxiety and make their first dental visit a positive one!
What Causes Dental Anxiety In Children?
There are many factors that can contribute to a child being anxious at the dentist’s office. For example, if your child has had a bad experience in the past at another dental office, they may not feel as comfortable at a new one. Additionally, if a child has never had a cavity or teeth problem before, they may also feel nervous because they don’t know what the experience will be like. They may also feel uncomfortable at the dentist’s because they aren’t familiar with the environment. At Dental Aesthetics, we do everything in our power to help kids feel more comfortable at the dentist by providing a welcoming environment with friendly staff members who treat everyone with respect and kindness. We also help parents prepare their kids for their first dental visit by talking to them in advance about the process. We explain the steps we will take during the exam and the cleaning process so that kids are more prepared and less anxious about what may happen during their visit with us.
Some ways a parent can help their child manage dental anxiety include the following:
Start Dental Visits While They’re Young
Dental anxiety is common among children. However, early and regular visits to your dentist’s office can help your little one overcome any fear of visiting a dentist. Making regular appointments from a very early age ensures that they are comfortable with visiting the dentist throughout their life. Dentists are there to help you maintain good oral health and treat any problems that may arise with your teeth. They can only do this if you bring them into your office for regular cleanings and examinations. If you manage your child’s dental anxiety effectively, you can ensure that their trips to the dentist will be minimal and easy to manage.
Provide Comfort Items
Many children have a lot of fears when it comes to heading to the dentist. You can help lessen their fears by providing them with some comfort items that they can hold while they are in the chair. The items that are provided will depend on the child’s age. For younger children, you may want to provide stuffed animals that they enjoy holding while they sit still for their exams and cleaning. For older children, perhaps allowing them to listen to music through headphones can help them relax during their procedure.
Read Stories About Dental Visits
Reading stories about dentists can also help to ease the fears of a child that may be experiencing anxiety about going to the dentist. You can encourage them to read fun books like “If You Ever Want to Bring an Alligator to School, Don’t!” or “Not So Scary Things That Go Bump in the Night.” You can also find books that discuss the importance of brushing your teeth regularly and how to take good care of your teeth and gums.
Dental Aesthetic, located in Sun City, AZ, offers the best preventative dental treatment for patients. Call us at 623-300-5432 and schedule an appointment with our dentist.