You love your child’s radiant smile and would do anything to protect it. But if your child fears the dentist, good dental care can be a huge challenge. For children with severe anxiety, they may not even be able to sit through an appointment. Fortunately, there are a number of things you can do to help your child overcome their fears. The first is to find a compassionate provider who offers experienced children’s dentistry.
At Dental Care of Lombard, Dr. Julie Glud is renowned for her friendly demeanor and gentle touch. She is proud to offer great dental care for the entire family. And as the mother of three young children, she understands childhood fears and knows how to keep your child comfortable in the dental chair. If your child fears the dentist, we encourage you to let us know ahead of time. That way, we can take extra steps to ensure that your child feels safe and relaxed while they are in the office.
Contact Dental Care of Lombard today.
Understand Why Your Child Fears the Dentist
The first step in helping your child overcome any fear is to get to the root of their anxiety. Dental fear among children is fairly common and is equally likely among both boys and girls.
Some primary causes of pediatric dental fear include:
- A previous negative experience
- Hearing about negative experiences from a parent or other family member
- Separation anxiety
- Fear of drilling
- Anxieties about choking
- Worries about injections
- Being touched by a stranger
Begin Dental Visits Early and Often
Studies have found a direct correlation between dental fear, the timing of a child’s first dental visit, and the frequency of subsequent appointments. In other words, by beginning dental visits at a young age and maintaining frequent appointments, you can greatly reduce the likelihood that your child will suffer from dental fear.
The reason for this is twofold. First, when you start taking your child to the dentist early, your little one is less likely to suffer from decay and other oral health problems. Thus, they are also less likely to have a negative experience at the dentist. Second, you will introduce your child to the dentist and dental office at a young age. This will help them acclimate to the environment and feel more comfortable whenever they come in for an appointment.
The American Dental Association recommends that children have their initial dental visit when their first tooth comes in, or by their first birthday, whichever comes first. The earliest appointments will usually entail a basic checkup to monitor dental development. Your dentist or hygienist may also brush and floss so that your child gets used to the feel of someone else caring for their teeth.
Establish Good Dental Habits
Similarly, beginning good oral care at a young age will reduce the likelihood of serious dental damage and subsequent unpleasant dental visits. Begin brushing your child’s teeth as soon as the first one appears. Use a soft-bristled brush and a smear of toothpaste about the size of a grain of rice. Start flossing as soon as your child has two touching teeth.
Continue brushing and flossing for your child until he or she is able to do it alone. The timeline will vary from child to child, but many aren’t able to brush by themselves until around the ages of 6-8. Even then, continue to supervise until you are confident that your child consistently brushes and flosses correctly.
Set a Good Example
If your child fears the dentist, you may need to take an honest assessment of your own attitudes towards dental care. Have you expressed your personal anxieties in front of your child? Has he or she seen you routinely visiting the dental office?
If he or she is old enough to sit through it, consider taking your child to your own dental cleaning and exam. That way, they can see that this is something everyone goes through and that there is nothing to be afraid of. If you truly have your own fears, take steps to conquer them, whether through relaxation techniques or professional help. And let your child know that it’s ok to be afraid and that what matters is overcoming fear to do the right thing. It’s a great lesson that applies to all aspects of life!
Take a Tour of the Dental Office
If your child has never been to the dentist, or if you are switching practitioners, consider taking a tour of the office. That way, your child can meet the doctor to help with stranger anxiety. He or she can also see the dental chair and get used to the sights, sounds, and smells of the office. This can be especially helpful for highly sensitive kids or those with sensory processing difficulties.
Find Books about Visiting the Dentist
Kids often respond well when they can read books to prepare them for a new experience. You can find a number of great volumes about visiting the dentist. Some of our favorites include:
- Curious George Visits the Dentist by Margaret and H.A. Rey
- The Night Before the Dentist by Natasha Wang
- Just Going to the Dentist by Mercer Mayer
- The Tooth Book by Edward Miller (This one is more of an introduction to good dental hygiene.)
- Daniel Goes to the Dentist (Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood) adapted by Alexandra Cassel Schwartz
- My Dentist, My Friend by P.K. Hallinan
Act It Out in Advance
Kids love pretending, so acting out a dental visit ahead of time can be a great way to prepare. You could pretend to be the dentist, while your child is the patient. But they might find it more fun if they are the dentist and you are the patient. Alternatively, acting out a dental office scenario with a favorite doll or stuffie can be a big hit, especially with smaller kids.
If Your Child Fears the Dentist, Contact Us Today
Of course, the best way to help a child who fears the dentist is to find a kind and understanding doctor like Dr. Glud.
Schedule an appointment online or call us at (630) 629-5700.
