Dental anxiety is a common problem among both children and adults, and approximately 20% of children fear going to the dentist. Dental visits are essential to your child’s oral health and overall health, so it’s important to work on helping your child overcome this anxiety now. While it can take some time and work, here are a few helpful tips you can use to manage dental anxiety for your child.
Tip #1 – Introduce Your Child to the Dentist Early
Sometimes children develop dental anxiety because they weren’t introduced to the dentist while they were young. Without prior exposure, the dentist’s office can seem like a very strange place. This is one of the reasons dentists recommend that your child visit the dentist for the first time before they reach the age of one. This allows them to get used to the dental office environment, reducing problems with anxiety.
Tip #2 – Schedule Routine Dental Visits
Children sometimes think that heading to the dentists means a pulled tooth or an injection. While this may happen sometimes, scheduling routine visits that include basic exams and cleanings can help reduce anxiety. Routine dental visits let kids know that a visit to the dentist’s office doesn’t mean they have to get a shot or a tooth pulled, making it easier for your child to overcome his fears.
Tip #3 – Use Distractions if Needed
If anxiety levels get too high at the dentist’s office, use distractions if you need to. Distracting your child with toys and props can be a great way to keep his mind off what’s going on at the dentists. Some offices even offer in-chair movies or music for kids to enjoy while they’re undergoing a checkup or treatment to keep them happy and distracted.
Remember, visits to the dentists are a necessity, so it’s important to make sure you begin managing your child’s dental anxiety. Use these tips and choose an excellent dentist that specializes in working with children to curb anxiety and keep your child’s teeth in great shape.
If you're looking for gentle pediatric dentistry, contact the team at Southfield Kids Dentist today.