A fear of the dentist is all too frequent among children, especially if they or a close friend or sibling have had a negative experience there. Anxiety is common, but it should not prevent someone from maintaining proper oral hygiene. This article will provide a clear picture of why so many children are afraid of seeing the dentist and things to do when your child is scared.
Why are children afraid of the dentist?
For some individuals, it is merely a pain-related worry. In other instances, it may be the sound of dental equipment. If your child is frightened of the dentist, the most important thing you can do as a parent is to identify their particular triggers. It may make it simpler for you to prepare your child for a good visit.
What Parents Can Do to Ease Their Children’s Dental Anxiety
Parents may benefit from the following strategies:
1. Check Teeth regularly, Beginning in Childhood
Making dental checkups a routine practice from a young age is the most effective method for reducing dental anxiety. Avoidance is the worst possible response because it allows the underlying fear to fester and grow into something much more significant than it originally was.
2. Preliminary Discussions
Providing a straightforward explanation of the dentist appointment in terms the patient can grasp goes a long way toward calming their nerves. Make sure they know how long it is expected to take, ask if there is anything specific they are worried about, and reassure them that a dentist is a nice person who only wants to help them with their teeth.
3. Permit Kids to Bring A Favorite Toy
Bringing a favorite toy or stuffed animal to the dentist with your child is a great idea if doing so makes them feel more at ease. Ensure you know your dentist’s stance on bringing in a toy or a buddy to help ease your child’s fears.
4. Relax
A parent’s tension and anxiety can often be picked up and internalized by their children. Calm yourself down with a few deep breaths, stock up on food and fluids, set off with plenty of time to spare so you do not run late, and avoid any potentially stressful situations on the way.
5. After the visit, have some fun!
Whether the visit went well or not, providing constructive feedback afterwards helps improve future encounters. That can be anything from visiting their favorite park or shop to treating themselves to a tasty treat.
6. Find The Right Dentist
It is important to choose a pediatric dentist who is good with kids and has a genuine interest in their well-being; this will go a long way in assisting your child in getting over their fear. Is there a friendly atmosphere in the office? What kind of time commitment does the dentist have to answer your questions?
If you answered “no” to even one of these questions, your child might develop a significant fear of the dentist.
Conclusion
If your child is anxious about seeing the dentist, you can put these suggestions to the test to see which ones work best for your child. A lack of fear or dread of the dentist can be avoided even as an adult if dental visits are fun and interesting.
Also read: Top Reasons to Never Miss a Dentist’s Appointment
