How to ease your child’s dental anxiety

February is National Children’s Dental Health Month

Healthy habits and behaviors are shared between family members. Love snacking on carrots and ranch? Enjoy riding your bike through the neighborhood? Chances are good that your kids do too.

Dental anxiety is no different. It affects all ages and can be passed from one family member to another. It’s also common for children to have dental caries if their parent has dental fear or anxiety. The good news is that dental anxiety can be overcome.

Dental fear is contagious

It’s difficult for a child to draw the connection, “My mom is anxious because they don’t like the idea of going to the dentist.” It’s much easier for a child to think, “My mom doesn’t like the dentist because the dentist is bad.” Because of this, children should have no idea that their parent fears the dentist. If you experience anxiety about dental appointments, it’s important to educate yourself and other adult family members on how to not communicate this fear to younger children. Make sure you go to a local dentist, and find someone who you feel comfortable with. This will also put your children at ease too!

Luckily, pediatric dentists are trained to handle your child during their appointment. Most dentists actually encourage parents to let them do the talking. Many times when an anxious parent or guardian tries to make a dental visit less frightening, they actually make the child more nervous.

Good oral health habits start early

Teaching your children to brush their teeth twice a day is–and helping them do so when they are too small to brush on their own–is a great start to a lifetime of good oral health. But it’s also important to help your child develop a healthy relationship with their dentist at a young age. In fact, children should have their first trip to the dentist by age 1. This has many positive benefits:

• Your child will learn to trust the dentist from an early age, preventing future dental anxiety.
• Your child form the habit of visiting their dentist every 6 months, which they will carry for a lifetime.
• And you’re giving your child the opportunity to learn about their smile health and their overall health.

As a parent or guardian, stay positive and calm. Don’t overexcite your child about the dentist, and don’t tell them, “It’s not a big deal,” or, “It will only hurt a little.” Tone conveys stress level, and your child has been trained to pick up on your emotional undertones.

Bringing a comforting item from home can help your child feel in control of their surroundings. A blanket or favorite toy is soothing and can feel familiar and provide a distraction.

Pediatric dentists help kids feel comfortable

If you started taking your child to the dentist as an infant or toddler, they’re no doubt familiar with routine dental appointments. Are you taking your child to your general dentist? Consider if that’s the best dentist for them. A pediatric dentist is trained to move more quickly and efficiently than a dentist who works on adults. They’re educated in (and after) dental school on the best ways to distract and keep kids still for their cleanings.

Additionally, pediatric dentists have offices designed with kids in mind! Colorfully painted walls, toys and age-appropriate music can also help your child feel like the dentist office is a fun, safe place.

Sometimes choosing a reward that your child can have after each dental visit can help ease their dental anxiety. Some pediatric dentists even offer their own rewards, allowing kids to choose an item from a treasure box after their exam. This positive reinforcement can help children develop positive feelings toward the dentist as they grow up.

Content from this article was originally posted by our partner Delta Dental of Arizona. Read more on their blog.