What is Behind Children’s Dentist-Based Anxiety

Many adults have severe anxiety about going to the dentist and if you fall into this category, how are you supposed to convince your kids that going to the dentist is fun? Even if you dread those appointments or avoid making them altogether, it’s important to set the right example and help your children develop a healthy understanding of the importance of good oral hygiene. Read on to learn where this anxiety comes from and some fun tips from pediatric Los Angeles dentist Samaritan Dental Arts.

The anxiety a child has about the dentist comes from a variety of fears. The child might have a fear of the unknown, a fear of pain (maybe they have heard you complain), or just a lack of trust with someone they don’t know. Here are some tips you can use to make going to the dentist more fun for your kids.

Start Them Out Young

The dentist’s office can be a scary place full of strangers with big metal tools who want to poke around your mouth. By starting the process early, parents are introducing children to the process and finding a good dental home. Kids will lose their teeth and may need to visit the dentist often even before kindergarten. Starting them young makes the process less scary as they become more familiar and establish a good relationship with their dentist.

Watch Your Own Mouth

You might not even realize that you are your own worst enemy when it comes to preparing your kids for a dental visit. The best advice is to keep it simple and don’t explain too many details to your kids. More details could lead to more questions you might not be able to answer. You don’t want to go into the nitty gritty about the process of getting a filling if your kid is just going in for a cleaning and checkup. Take it one step at a time.

It’s also a promising idea to avoid those “trigger” words that can cause a lot of anxiety for kids. Keep it positive and stay away from words like “pain” or “hurt.” It’s okay to rely on the dental staff to use their own vocabulary with the kids to help them understand the process. Emphasize “strong, healthy” teeth so they understand the visit is a positive experience that is good for their health.

Host a Pretend Visit

To help your child understand what the dentist will do, host a pretend visit with you as the dentist and have your child then practice on their favorite doll or stuffed animal. Grab a tooth brush and have your child open their mouth in front of the mirror. Count their teeth and show them the right way to brush. Use a small mirror to show them what the dentist might do as they look at the mouth and teeth. Then, have your child do the same thing with their stuffed animal so the process doesn’t seem so foreign and scary.

Prepare for Resistance

Even if you do everything right, your child still might show a little hesitation at going to the dentist. Be prepared for a fussy patient. Let the staff work their magic (they have experience with fussy and frightened kids) and allow them to help calm your child and explain the process in their own terminology.

If you are looking for a pediatric dentist in downtown Los Angeles, contact our professionals at Samaritan Dental Arts. We are open on Saturdays and offer evening appointments. You can easily schedule an appointment online. You can also fill out the necessary forms, meet our team of professionals and view a complete list of services. We offer flexible payment options and a caring staff ready to help ease your fears.

Don’t take your dental health for granted and don’t set a bad example for your kids. It might seem like a minor inconvenience now, but if left untreated, you could develop serious issues that could impact your overall health or that of your children. For the best pediatric dentist in downtown Los Angeles, make your appointment with Samaritan Dental Arts today.