- Let their Parents be Nearby. If a child asks for their parent to hold their hand or be nearby and it doesn’t interfere with what you’re doing, let the parent ...
- Explain Everything. One of the biggest sources of dental anxiety is that young patients don’t know what’s going on. ...
- Smile! Don’t forget to smile, say hello, and be genuinely friendly! This helps puts everyone, not just your younger patients, at ease.
- Make them Comfortable. One of the best tools for fighting dental anxiety in younger patients is comfort. ...
- Read your child books about going to the dentist. ...
- Let your child bring their favorite toy or stuffed animal to the dentist. ...
- Dress comfortably. ...
- Prepare a reward for your child as an outcome of a successful visit.
How can I Make my Child Feel Good at the dentist?
If your child always behaves well at the dentist and routinely gets a treat or is taken somewhere fun afterwards, they will naturally start to associate this with good performance. After a while, the two experiences will become intermingled and just a mere mention of the dentist will trigger positive emotions.
How to prepare your child for a dental visit?
Once you have an appointment scheduled, start preparing your child for the visit. Children learn best when they are having fun. You can practice giving their stuffed animal a checkup with a toy mirror. Your child can bring that same stuffed animal to the dental visit to get a check-up by the dentist. Read books to them. I recommend:
How to deal with your child’s fear of the dentist?
Once again, the trick to getting a child to cope with the strangeness of the dentist is simply to avoid stress, panic, and fear from as early an age as possible. The easiest way to do this is through communication. So, as already mentioned, avoid using negative words and associations.
How can I Help my Child deal with dental anxiety?
One of the best tools for fighting dental anxiety in younger patients is comfort. If a child is comfortable in the dental chair, he or she is less likely to move around or become afraid. Using a memory foam headrest, or even a full child booster seat will make young patients more comfortable and at ease.
How do I make my child more comfortable at the dentist?
What to do When Your Child is Scared of the DentistVisit the Dentist at a Young Age. ... Go to a Pediatric Dentist (Preferably a Fun One!) ... Talk to Them About the Dentist and Oral Health. ... Be a Great Role Model. ... Play Dentist. ... Read Books About the Dentist or Watch Videos. ... Schedule Wisely. ... Give Positive Reinforcement.
How do I keep my child calm at the dentist?
A calm environment Often, the first thing a dental office does is create a calm, stress-free and friendly environment. This starts at the front desk and waiting area. Furnishing a children's area with toys, games and child-friendly shows on the television can help keep children distracted while waiting for the dentist.
How do I motivate my child to go to dentist?
The importance and long-lasting benefits of proper dental hygiene should be taught at an early age....Try these 4 simple approaches to get kids to embrace proper dental care.Start early. ... Make it a group effort. ... Involve kids in choosing their dental care products. ... Compliment kids after positive dental appointments.
How do children cope with dental anxiety?
Here are some ideas on how you might calm your child's nerves before and during the dental appointment:Let them bring whatever comforts them (stuffed toy, blanket, fidget spinner, etc.)Make the most of distractions (phone, tablet or music)Practice relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing exercises.More items...•
How do I prepare my 4 year old for dentist?
For added comfort, check your dentist's reviews and make sure that most other parents and their children had a nice visit.Know what to expect. ... Stay clear and positive when speaking to your child. ... Schedule the appointment for when your child is well rested. ... Demonstrate comfort and positivity. ... Bring something familiar.More items...•
How do I talk to my child about dentist?
No Big Words Instead of using big words that might sound like they come from an encyclopedia, talk to your child about the dentist using words that are simple. Before you visit a pediatric dentist, talk about the office and the procedures using basic words, like toothbrush, toothpaste, and lights.
How do I prepare my 3 year old for dentist?
Break out your child's toothbrush and have them sit in a chair. Pretend you're the dentist and count and brush their teeth. Talk through what you're doing and why oral hygiene is so important. Then, swap roles or let your child have a turn being the dentist with a stuffed animal.
How can I not be scared of the dentist?
Tips to stay calmSee the dentist at a less busy time of day, such as the morning hours. ... Bring noise-canceling headphones or ear buds with music to help you relax.Ask a friend or a loved one to accompany you during your appointment.Practice deep breathing and other meditation techniques to calm your nerves.
How can I motivate myself to brush my teeth?
8 tips to make brushing your teeth a habitSet a reminder on your phone. ... Make a smile diary. ... Bookend your day. ... Put your money where your mouth is. ... Do it together. ... Keep your friends close, and your toothbrush closer. ... Consider the gravity of a serious cavity. ... Find a toothpaste that makes brushing fun.
When treating a child who is obviously afraid the dentist should?
Relaxation strategies are especially useful for children with anxiety. They help slow down the body's physical reaction to the anxiety or fear of the dentist. Many children will experience relief following a simple deep-breathing exercise, which involves deep inhalations and slow exhalations in a paced manner.
How common is dental anxiety in children?
Dental fear and anxiety (DFA) is one of the major challenges in pediatric dentistry [1]. The prevalence is estimated to approximately 9% [2]. Using the children's fear survey schedule-dental subscale (CFSS-DS), 6.7% of a Swedish sample were assessed as being fearful [3].
Is dental anxiety common?
Dental anxiety is incredibly common and can affect anyone. The term is generally used to describe feelings of unease, fear, or stress before or during a dental appointment.