If your toddler is anxious about going to the dentist, the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. About 36% of adults in the United States fear dentists and dental treatments, with 12% having fear so extreme that they won’t schedule an appointment even when they’re in pain.
At Hometown Family Dental Centers in Fayetteville, Raeford, and Vass, North Carolina, our expert team of dentists understands that some people have real fears about coming in for treatment. That’s one reason we offer pediatric dentistry services; your child can grow up developing a good relationship with their dentist and knowing the importance of good oral health.
For parents whose toddlers haven’t become accustomed to the dental office and still fear coming in, we have some tips that will help you relieve their dental anxiety.
The American Dental Association and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend that your child’s first dental visit should occur by 12 months of age, or within six months of your child’s first tooth coming in. Part of the purpose of this appointment is to help your child feel comfortable with the dentist.
The first visit often lasts 30-45 minutes. If your child has reached the toddler stage, it may include a full mouth exam — teeth, jaws, bite, and gum and oral tissues — to determine if their growth and development are on track.
If your child needs it, we may also gently clean their teeth. This includes polishing and removing any accumulated plaque, tartar, and stains.
In addition, we may show you and your child the correct way to brush and floss teeth and advise you on the need for fluoride.
Since baby teeth fall out, X-rays aren’t routine, but we may recommend them if your child is old enough and we suspect decay. We also rely on X-rays to see if the root of a jammed baby tooth is affecting the growth of an adult tooth. In general, though, it’s best not to expose young children to dental X-rays unless absolutely needed.
Like their parents, children should see the dentist every six months, though we may schedule visits more often as the teeth develop. In addition to helping us monitor oral health, these routine appointments can build comfort and confidence in the child.
You’ve done all the right things, you’ve made the necessary appointments and encouraged your child to care for their teeth, but they still have anxiety about going to the dentist. It may not be a familiarity thing; like adults, the smells and sounds of the office may be off-putting, or they may be frightened that something’s going to hurt.
There are ways to relieve your toddler’s anxiety and get them through their appointment. Here are four good ways.
Even if your child is just having a routine check-up and not a procedure, you should talk to them before the appointment and explain what will happen while they’re at the office. Answer all your child’s questions honestly, with easy-to-understand terms, and with non-threatening language.
Go online with your child and look for pictures of a dentist’s office so they can visualize it. Point out the equipment in the room, too.
And communicate with the doctor that your child is anxious so they can speak with your child in the same calm way.
Let the child choose a favorite toy or blanket to bring with them. Having something comforting and familiar will help make the situation less scary for them.
Ask the dentist if it would be okay to be in the room during the appointment so you can hold your child’s hand. You’ll serve as a calming influence, and just knowing you’re there may help keep your child calm.
If the child behaves well at the dentist’s office, they deserve a reward. It can be anything from a walk in the park to going to the zoo to getting some ice cream. Make sure, though, that the reward is commensurate with the amount of anxiety the visit had. Obviously, having a cavity filled is more anxiety-provoking than just a regular check-up, so make the reward a bit bigger.
Want more tips to relieve your child’s dental anxiety? Want to get your child set up with a dental visit? Call Hometown Family Dental Centers to learn more and to schedule.
