Your child needs regular visits to the dentist to prevent cavities and maintain gum health, but sometimes, that experience can be scary for them. Loud noises, unusual equipment, bright lights, and strange faces can all seem frightening.
As parents, we know how important it is to make our children feel as safe and happy as possible. Thankfully, a visit to the dentist doesn’t have to be anxiety-inducing or burdensome for your children—here are our recommendations for making your child’s next dental visit as stress-free as possible.
One of the easiest ways to reduce the anxiety surrounding dental visits is to start these visits early in your child’s life. You might feel that your child doesn’t need to go to the dentist until they are older, but we recommend taking them in for their first checkup by their very first birthday or within six months of getting their first pearly white.
Consistency and early exposure will remove the uncertainty of the situation and make it much less stressful in the coming visits.
Kids feed off of positive language and a good attitude, so be purposeful with your language when discussing an upcoming dental visit with a child. Instead of saying, “You have to go to the dentist,” say, ”You get to go to the dentist,” and frame it as an adventure.
If your child is curious about what to expect at the dentist, discuss it with them beforehand! Keep the descriptions as light-hearted and fun as possible, and point out any fun aspects of the office, like fish tanks or toys.
There are tons of fun picture books that show what it’s like to go to the dentist. Many of them also touch on (and reduce) the very present fear of a first visit. Some great examples are The Berenstain Bears Visit the Dentist, Curious George Visits the Dentist, and The Night Before the Dentist.
If your child enjoys watching videos more than reading, there are plenty of fun and educational videos on YouTube, like this one.
Dental offices like Kardynal Dental are very accommodating. If your child has a favorite comfort item, like a beloved stuffed zebra or baby blanket, bring it with them! To your child, this comfort item will feel like an added layer of security and a reminder of home if they start to feel anxious. If your child doesn’t have one, consider buying one just for their first appointment.
Everything is new to a child—you already know that the dentist is fine and everything will go OK, but your child has no reference point, so anything new can feel exciting and scary. Even if you explain what will happen at the dentist, your child may need repeated explanations and reassurance that everything will be fine. Always be patient. It’s also important to stay calm, even if you’re feeling anxious on their behalf. Kids are intuitive and will pick up that you’re worried, which in turn will make them feel worried.
If they still seem nervous, plan something fun after the dental visit. You could promise them a trip to the park, the pet store, or the movie theater. That way, they’ll have something else they can focus their attention on.
Above all else, it’s important to choose the right dentist for your child. Pediatric dentists are specially trained in caring for children and understand how to create positive experiences for them.
Kardynal Dental is a family-owned practice providing exceptional care for all ages. Comfort is a standard of care at our office, and we always practice compassionate listening. As a two-generation dental office, you can always expect consistent care for you and your family.
Contact us today to schedule your child’s first appointment. If your child has any specific stressors, please let us know when booking your appointment.