My Child Is Afraid of the Dentist: How Can I Help?

Dental fear can affect patients of all ages. Going to the dentist for young children is a new experience with many unknowns. After all, their pediatrician is most likely the only healthcare professional they know, so it’s natural for them to be anxious.

Parents and guardians can play an essential role in helping their children understand what happens at the dentist’s office and how their dentist cares about them just like their pediatrician, says our own Ginger Rome, DDS, at The Dentists at North Cypress in Houston, Texas.

In this blog, we provide tips on how you can set the stage for a lifetime of positive, fearless experiences at the dentist’s office.

Pediatric dental care visits

Let’s start with what a pediatric dental visit looks like. Your child’s first visit with the dentist is typically more of an information intake than a detailed examination, especially if they are very young.

Dr. Rome asks the parent or guardian about their child’s at-home oral care habits and diet to establish the potential risk level for tooth decay. She then gently examines your child’s mouth, teeth, and gums, looking for signs of developing cavities or potential oral health problems.

She completes the appointment with a professional cleaning and polishing, if necessary. Every six months is the standard for checkups, but if Dr. Rome has any concerns, she recommends more frequent visits.

Match your child with the right dentist

The first step to creating a positive experience at the dentist’s office starts with the actual dentist. Look for dental providers who see children day in and day out and who have a passion for pediatric dental care. Ask your pediatrician, friends, and neighbors for referrals.

At The Dentists at North Cypress, we are committed to building trusting relationships with our patients, whether 18 months old, 18 years old, or 80 years old. The hallmark of our practice is providing a relaxing, gentle, and caring dental experience that makes each appointment more like a visit with a friend than a dental appointment.

Make it more of a habit and less of a big deal

Sometimes, we unknowingly create a build-up for a new experience for our children and, in doing so, pepper in expectations and stress. Instead, schedule your child’s first appointment around their first birthday or when they get their first tooth.

Schedule checkups for regular intervals every six months or as your child’s dentist recommends. Keeping to a regular schedule makes it less of a big deal and more of a habit. This newly created habit does two important things – it makes fear and stress less likely and starts your child on a lifetime of optimal oral care.

Remove the mystery

Fear of the unknown is a reality. If children don’t understand what happens at the dentist’s office, the experience is more likely to go off the rails and be negative and scary. Do yourself and your child a favor and remove the mystery.

Walk your child through what will happen from when they enter the reception area to when they leave and everything in between. Give them a chance to ask questions they have and let them know that there are no wrong or silly questions.

A great way to break the ice on this conversation is to check out the vast collection of fun books, videos, and activities about visiting the dentist. Keeping it casual and educational reduces the fear factor and likelihood of catching your child off guard.

Walk the walk

One of the best things you can do to dispel fear of the dentist is to set a good example. Whether you realize it, your child takes their cues from you by watching everything you do and your responses to given situations.

When it comes time for you to set your own dentist’s appointment, don’t just follow through with the appointment, but if possible, bring your child with you so that they can see you calmly and confidently going to your appointment. This tactic is equally successful with older siblings.

The more your child observes that the dentist and the dentist’s office aren’t scary, the better. Is it time to book your child’s dentist appointment? Contact us by calling or scheduling an appointment online today. At The Dentists at North Cypress, Dr. Rome, Dr. Salvo, and our staff specialize in family dentistry, creating a warm, welcoming environment for patients of all ages.