How to Help Kids Overcome the Fear of Dentists?

Dental anxiety is rated as one of the top 10 anxiety-inducing events in a person’s life. The fear of dental drills, the sight of the needles, of the sound of the suction all contribute to the anxiety. These anxieties often lead kids and children to delay getting treatment and create more problems for them.

A dental visit is supposed to be scheduled for a child as soon as the first tooth erupts. But many delays this due to fear and here are ways to help kids overcome the fear of dentists.

Start young

For a child lying alone on a chair in a strange room, with unfamiliar noises and objects, all while a stranger wearing a mask is poking unusual instruments in his/her mouth is scary. When you take your child at a young age, only check-ups and preventive measures can be performed which are non- invasive and are easy to administer without causing pain to the child. Also seeing their parent receive treatment with ease helps pacify the child and desensitizes them.

Parents are often encouraged to bring their younger kids with elder siblings to engage them and use them for demonstrations. But make sure you and the elder kid are confident enough not to show anxiety in front of the kid.

Be positive but don’t lie

Parents should keep a positive attitude when discussing an upcoming visit, but don’t give your child false hope. Avoid saying that everything will be fine to pacify the child because if your child ends up needing treatment, the child might lose trust in both the dentist and the parent. Be honest and talk to your dentist ahead of time to let them know about the first visit.

Dentists often talk and play and follow up with checkups or minor treatment for the first visit, many even reward them as an incentive. DO not interfere while the dentist is talking to your child.

Pretend Play

Some parents even pretend to play with their kids before the visit. Like they act as the dentists and perform easy consultation and procedures to the toys so they know what to expect.

Positive reinforcement

Compliments and praise work as effective positive reinforcements for children. Applauding them for their bravery and good behavior during a dental visit can make a whole lot of difference in a child’s attitude.

Avoid words like “hurt,” “shots,” or “painful.”

Even adding these words with “only a little” is not going to help your child with their dental and anxiety.

Find a child-friendly dental practice or dentist

If your child is not resonating well with your dentist, find a dentist who has experience with young patients and their dental anxiety. A child should be comfortable with the dentist and the dental set up as well

Last but not least – Don’t give up

Some children take a longer time than others to get used to the dental setup. The key is not giving up. Focusing on the preventing measure doled out by the dentist be it brushing twice a day, rinsing after a meal, flossing, etc.

Happy parenting!

Source - https://childcareart.com/help-kids-overcome-the-fear-of-dentists/