Your Child is Afraid of Going to the Dentist – How to Ease Their Fear

Our pediatric dental anesthesia specialists have advanced training that allows them to interact positively with children who have anxiety and special needs.

Going to the dentist is an essential part of keeping your kid’s mouth healthy. However, it generally doesn’t rank high on the list of things your child, or you as a parent, want to do. For some children, they truly fear going to the dentist. They may experience anxiety just at the thought of sitting in the dentist’s chair.

At The Dental Anesthesia Center, we understand that fear and anxiety are real feelings that can be difficult to control, especially for a child. We strive to make your child’s dental experience comfortable and positive. Yet, there are several things you as a parent can do to help ease their fear.

Ways to Ease their Fears

To help your child’s visit to the dentist go more smoothly, try these suggestions:

• When talking about the dentist, avoid using words such as shot, hurt, or painful.
• Tell your child about the upcoming appointment but limit the number of details you give. Answer their questions with simple answers. Let the dentist explain the more intricate details. Pediatric dentists have the training necessary to describe things to children in an easy-to-understand, nonthreatening way.
• When talking about your dental experiences, don’t tell your child about any unpleasant or painful experiences you’ve had.
• From an early age, explain to your child how important it is to take care of their oral health and that going to the dentist is a positive thing.
• Read children’s books about going to the dentist.
• Tell your child how friendly the dentist and staff are and that they will be in excellent care.
• They may be scared to be separated from you. Let your child know that you can be with them the entire time.
• Let them take their favorite doll or teddy bear to the appointment.

Reasons for Their Fears

Keep in mind that it’s entirely reasonable for your child to be fearful or nervous. They may be afraid of the unknown; others may be scared of being hurt or injured. If your child has special needs, this can add to their fear and apprehension. Some other reasons your child may fear going to the dentist include:

• Sensitive gag reflex
• Fear of pain or history of a painful dental experience
• Fear of the dentist’s tools and instruments
• Intellectual disabilities which prevent them from fully understanding what they are experiencing
• Physical disabilities which may make going to the dentist uncomfortable, even painful

Whatever your child’s reasons, at The Dental Anesthesia Center, our pediatric dental anesthesia specialists have advanced training that allows them to interact positively with children who have anxiety and special needs. Our office is fully equipped to accommodate patients with special needs, allowing us to deliver care in an environment that is relaxed and comfortable for you and your child.