Help Your Child Overcome Dental Anxiety
Does your child start crying as soon as you step into the waiting room? Do they start gagging and pulling whatever tool is used to inspect their teeth?
At Ellerslie 66 Clinic, we partner with parents to help their children build a positive experience with professional dental care. If your child has dental anxiety, here are some ways to support them, help soothe their nerves, and lay the groundwork for their understanding of the importance of dental care.
Understanding Dental Anxiety in Children
Dental anxiety is common among children. It can stem from a previous negative dental experience. It can naturally come from a fear of pain. The unfamiliarity with dental tools and sounds may also contribute to their anxiety. In some children, they may also have naturally higher anxiety levels due to temperament.
Dental anxiety may result in children skipping dental visits and increasing the risk of tooth and gum issues. They can experience tooth decay, gum disease, and potential tooth loss, which can lead to further dental problems and increased future costs. This can affect their psychological well-being. It can make it difficult for them to eat, speak, or drink. It can also impact their self-confidence in social settings.
While pediatric dentists are trained in techniques to reduce anxiety and provide positive dental experiences, a parent’s support is crucial to achieve them.
How to Help Your Child Overcome Their Dental Anxiety
If your child or children are afraid of the dentist, it can make dental visits a stressful experience. Trying to “talk them out of it” often doesn’t work. Dental anxiety can be deep-rooted from the fear of the unknown or from a previous negative experience.
However, with small but supportive actions, we can gradually help them overcome their anxiety. With consistency, calmness, and preparation, we can build a positive dental experience with your child. Here are doable, little steps that we can do so in pediatric dentistry.
Start Dental Visits Early
Children are less likely to develop dental anxiety if they are familiar with the dentist and their clinic through regular visits. The earliest possible time to start visiting a pediatric dentist with your child is when they have their first tooth erupt or before their first birthday.
Minimize the Association of Pain with Dental Procedures
If a child has to visit a dentist due to urgent care, such as pain or dental caries, they may require invasive dental procedures. Invasive dental procedures can be particularly challenging for young children, who may struggle to cooperate due to fear, discomfort, or unfamiliarity with the procedure. This can cause them to associate dentists with negative experiences of pain.
However, when a child begins visiting the dentist without the need for urgent treatment, they’re more likely to associate dental care with positive outcomes and long-term oral health. Even if they’re not experiencing dental issues, children can still benefit from regular check-ups or dental cleanings.
As recommended by the Canadian Dental Association (CDA), parents should have their children undergo a dental exam every 6 months if they have a history of cavities, or 12 months otherwise.
Explain the Importance of Dental Care in Kid-Friendly Terms
When addressing their dental anxiety, encourage your child to express fears using their own words. Reassure them you’re there to help, not dismiss their feelings. Validate their concerns. It is normal to feel anxious about something you don’t know much about.
Next, frame dental visits as a positive experience. Help your child think of the dentist as a friendly helper, not someone to fear. If your child loves superheroes, you can explain that the dentist is like a tooth superhero, protecting their teeth from “superbugs” (bacteria) that can cause cavities. Use encouraging phrases like:
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- “We’re going to make your smile shiny and strong!”
- “The dentist is going to count your teeth and make sure they’re super healthy.”
- “You might get a sticker or a surprise gift afterward!”
By focusing on the benefits of dental care (a healthy smile, fresh breath, or fun rewards), you help shape their experience as something exciting rather than scary.
Desensitize with Baby Steps
A parent can help a child overcome dental anxiety by breaking up regular visits into smaller, more manageable sessions. For instance:
First visit:
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- Meeting the dentist, exploring their office, and sitting in the dentist’s chair without any procedures being performed.
- The parent may discuss the child’s past negative dental experiences or sensory issues with the dentist.
- The dentist will take this opportunity to tell the parent how they can help the child overcome their dental anxiety.
Second visit:
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- The dentist introduces each tool to the child, showing how it would be used inside their mouth, focusing on how it would help them.
- The child may try rinsing with the cup of water that automatically fills up beside the dental chair.
Third visit:
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- The following visits will be personalized to the child’s comfort level and dental goals.
By building up to a complete check-up, we can help them become more comfortable with professional dental care over time.
Use Dental Storybooks, Story Videos, and Play Kits to Demystify Dental Care
Children respond positively to visual and narrative formats, such as storybooks and videos. Watching or reading about characters going to the dentist can normalize the experience. Look for age-appropriate resources that emphasize gentle care, smiling dentists, and fun outcomes.
Dental play kits can also empower children by making dental visits feel more familiar, predictable, and safe. These kits often include child-friendly tools, such as a flashlight or mirror for “tooth exams,” and a soft toothbrush to “clean” teeth. You can even use a regular chair at home to simulate a dental chair.
Through imaginative role-play, parents and children can take turns pretending to be the dentist and the patient. This fun, hands-on activity helps reduce your child’s fear of the unknown and builds their confidence before an actual dental appointment.
Practice Relaxation Techniques Before and During Appointments
When your child is in a dental appointment, knowing relaxation techniques can help them feel confident and in control. Deep breathing exercises can be a simple but effective way to help them manage dental anxiety. It helps slow down the heart rate, reduces tension, and calms the mind.
This can be practiced at home by blowing bubbles or a pinwheel. One deep breathing exercise is to inhale slowly for eight counts and then exhale slowly for eight counts afterward.
Support Your Child with Positive Reinforcement
After each dental visit, take a moment to check in with your child about how they’re feeling. Ask open-ended questions like:
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- “Do you want to take a short break in the waiting room?”
- “Would you feel better waiting in the car next time?”
Let them know it’s okay to still feel nervous, even small steps forward are signs of progress. Validate their emotions and acknowledge their courage, regardless of how the appointment went. Then, gently shift the focus to their bravery and highlight what they did well:
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- “You were so brave sitting in the chair today.”
- “Are you proud of giving your best today?” (This question helps direct their feelings over their effort and reinforces their progress)
Additionally, offering small rewards can help reinforce the idea that visiting the dentist is a positive and rewarding experience.
Encourage Them to Bring a Comfort Item to the Visit
Encourage your child to bring their favorite toy or blanket to help soothe them while waiting in the reception area. Having a familiar object close by can bring reassurance in an unfamiliar setting and help reduce anxiety. Even a tablet or phone device to play video games can help them take their mind off their dental appointment.
At Ellerslie 66 Dental Clinic, we allow children to hold their comfort item throughout the appointment to help them feel safe and secure.
When Sedation Dentistry May Be Helpful for Children
In some cases, severe anxiety may cause the child to experience panic attacks or have difficulty cooperating. A dentist will collaborate with you on whether to use sedation dentistry for your child or not. Sedation dentistry involves the use of medication to help your child relax during the dental procedure. Symptoms of fever, nausea, and irritability typically subside within 48 hours.
Create a Positive Dental Experience with Ellerslie 66 Dental Clinic
Dental anxiety is a state that children can outgrow with the support of parents and their dentist. By empowering them through familiarity, knowledge, and soothing techniques, your child can grow with confidence in their dental care.
At Ellerslie 66 Dental Clinic, we work closely with you to help your child overcome their dental anxiety and establish a strong foundation in the importance of dental health. Schedule an appointment with us today, and let’s create a positive dental experience for your children.