Dental appointments can be scary for young children. Luckily, there are ways to help ease their nerves before and during a visit.
Is your little one afraid of the dentist? It’s easy to understand why: Lying in a chair in a strange room while someone they don’t know pokes their mouth with sharp tools, not to mention all those scary sounds — that’s no one’s idea of fun!
In fact, dental fears are common. By age 9, about 8% of kids are afraid of the dentist. Luckily, there’s a lot you can do to help calm them in the moment and nip any future dental fears in the bud, says Fran Rhee, D.D.S. He’s a pediatric dentist who has practiced in New York, Minnesota, and Canada.
Check out four reasons why kids get anxious at the dentist, plus what you can do to help them feel more at ease.
This is a big fear for kids gearing up for their first trip to the dentist. One of the best things you can do is talk about the upcoming visit to the dentist.
Be honest with your little one and walk them through what will happen, step by step. You can also look for age-appropriate books where the main characters are heading off to the dentist. (See “How to prepare your child for dental checkups,” below, for more ideas.)
Your dentist can also help explain what will happen during the cleaning. “We take the time to say each part of the visit in a child-friendly manner, using age-appropriate language,” says Dr. Rhee. If your child knows what’s coming next, they’ll feel more at ease.
“Before beginning any procedure, we often show patients each dental tool and how they work,” says Dr. Rhee. Once a child is familiar with the tools, they seem less scary, helping the child to feel more comfortable during the visit.
Your Premier Access plan makes it easy. No travel. No scheduling hassles. No additional cost to you! Click below to find your school and sign up.*
*You’ll be directed to MySchoolDentist to complete a permission form.
Getting a cavity filled is no picnic for many adults. It makes sense that your child would be afraid, too. Let them know that the dentist has cool tools that they’ll be able to see up close. Dentists today have tricks to make filling cavities much more comfortable than you might remember from your own childhood.
“We use local anesthesia to numb the mouth before treatment,” explains Dr. Rhee.
They can also give children laughing gas to help them relax. It may cause kids to giggle a little, but they’ll be awake and able to understand what’s going on. (Bonus: It also wears off quickly, so they’ll be back to normal as soon as they leave the office.)
Let’s face it — having someone poking around your mouth with sharp tools can feel funny. But if your little one complains that it’s hard to breathe, let your dentist know. There are techniques to help distract kids from fears and make appointments easier.
“We use interactive toys, play soothing music, and tell stories during visits,” says Dr. Rhee. This helps relax children. Some dental offices even have virtual reality headsets or TV screens, so your child is entertained during their procedure.
Walking into any unknown space can be scary for kids. Prepare them for a visit to the dentist before they lie in the chair. Let your child know they can speak up or ask a question if they're nervous.
It’s also a good idea to give your child praise throughout the appointment. Celebrate their bravery and cooperation. It can boost their self-confidence and make them feel more powerful during their next appointment.
The American Dental Association recommends that all kids see the dentist as soon as their first tooth appears, or by their first birthday. Why? As soon as your baby has teeth, they can get a cavity. But early exposure will smooth the way for later. The first visit will help them become familiar with the dentist’s office.
Here are some expert tips to help ease your child’s fears:
Use positive language. When you talk about upcoming dental visits, stay positive and excited. Avoid words like “hurt,” “pain,” or “scared.” They can create unnecessary anxiety.
Read books or watch videos. There are many tools out there that explain dental visits in a fun and educational way. Reading or watching these together can help your child understand what to expect. Two good book options: Daniel Goes to the Dentist and The Berenstain Bears Visit the Dentist.
Role-play at home. Play pretend dentist at home with your child. Take turns being the dentist and the patient. Or you can use a stuffed animal as the patient. Use a toothbrush and mirror. This helps your child become familiar with the idea of dental checkups in a playful way.
Share happy experiences. Talk to your child about times you went to the dentist and how you feel after a visit. It helps to hear these sorts of stories from a trusted adult.
Finally, consider booking an appointment with a mobile pediatric dentist who brings their office equipment and tools into schools. They are experts in connecting and communicating with kids.
Learn more about in-school dental exams — plus how to make an appointment — here.
Sources:
