If your child’s feeling nervous or scared about their upcoming dental appointment, they’re in good company. Researchers estimate at least 20% of school-age children experience dental anxiety, which can range from slight nervousness to a strong phobia.
Robert F. Wilcox, DMD, and our entire care team at his private practice in Butte, Montana, know how important good oral health is to your child’s overall wellness. That’s why we offer specialized pediatric dentistry for your growing child’s dental needs.
We also know many children get nervous before visiting the dentist. To ensure your child’s next visit goes well, we’ve curated this guide with our top tips for helping calm any dentist chair nerves your child may experience.
Everyone who experiences dental anxiety does so a little differently. Children vary more than adults with how nervousness manifests. For example, some children yell and throw a tantrum, while others may hide or refuse to leave the house.
Regardless of the form of your child’s dental anxiety, you can ease their nerves and help them experience dental visits as a positive, proactive measure for their health.
Here’s a look at our top tips:
In a perfect world, your child started visiting the dentist as soon as their first teeth formed. But in the real world, children can’t always get into the dentist at such an early age, or must make a switch to a new dentist at an older age.
If your child is a new patient, or if they’re simply very nervous about going to their appointment, schedule a meet-and-greet appointment. This simple step gives your child a chance to get to know Dr. Wilcox without the pressure of a dental exam, helping ease their fears.
Children with dentist chair nerves often have parents who get anxious when it’s time to visit the dentist. If this describes you, or if you’re nervous about the treatment or procedure your child needs, do your best to not voice your anxieties in front of your child.
Instead, practice staying calm and addressing your concerns or fears without panic in your voice, since children pick up on these cues.
Help your child take their mind off their dental appointment using distraction. For example, you can let your child use your tablet or phone, work in a book of riddles or puzzles, or bring along a sibling or friend to play a game with while they wait.
One easy trick is to have them search for or count different objects in the waiting or exam room as a way to keep their mind occupied.
Anxiety usually shows up when we feel like we’re out of control. This is true for children, too. Help your child manage their fears of the dentist by telling them what they can expect during their appointment.
And tell us about your child’s fears. This way, we’re sure to explain what we’re doing step by step as their appointment progresses.
Don’t underestimate the power of simple praise. After your child gets through their dental appointment, reward their good behavior by giving them lots of praise. These simple words from you go a long way toward reinforcing good habits and making the next trip to the dentist easier.
If you’ve tried the above tips and your child is still experiencing anxiety, talk to Dr. Wilcox about pediatric oral sedation. This practice is safe and effective when administered by a trained and experienced provider, like Dr. Wilcox.
Oral sedation helps reduce anxiety and any discomfort associated with dental treatments, and it can boost your child’s ability to cooperate in the chair, which can make the process smoother. We want to ensure your child’s dental experiences are positive so they don’t develop a lifelong fear of the dentist.
For more help calming your child before an upcoming dental visit or to learn more about oral sedation, schedule an appointment online or over the phone.
