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PUBLISHED ON 26/07/22
For some children, the dentist is worse than the boogie man. Dental anxiety impacts approximately one in ten children – and approximately one in five people overall. The problem with such fears is that it can prevent both children and adults from yearly check-ups and dental procedures. These check-ups are extremely important to not only our oral hygiene but our overall health. Poor oral hygiene not only leads to cavities and gum disease but has been linked with heart disease, diabetes and cancer.
It’s important to overcome anxieties as a child as it can prevent them from becoming full-blown phobias. We’ve put together a list of tips and tricks to help your child overcome their fear of the dentist:
Early mornings or during work hours can be the best time to take your child to the dentist. Often, the environment and the sounds in the machines in the dental office, can add to the scariness of simple check-ups. Booking appointments for a less busy time ensures there are fewer coinciding procedures, and the environment is quieter. Moreover, earlier appointments mean that your child’s anxiety has less time to grow in anticipation.
Noise cancelling headphones or earbuds with music can help ease anxiety by calming the nerves and acting as a distraction.
Dental appointments are crucial for general well-being throughout your lifetime. Booking check-ups from a young age allows dentists to monitor the growth and development of your child’s teeth and jaw whilst allowing your child to become familiar with the process. Children who regularly attend the dentist from a young age are less afraid, simply due to the exposure and familiarity allowing them to be comfortable. It’s also important to find a dentist your child is comfortable with so they can build a relationship based on trust.
One of the main causes of the development of dental anxiety is due to the fear of the unknown. At Maidstone dental, we walk your child through the entire process in an easy-to-understand manner and take the time to answer any questions and address any fears. Being honest and precise helps take the fear away from dental procedures and check-ups.
The benefit of attending a clinic such as Maidstone dental is that we don’t just offer pediatric dental treatments but adult treatments as well. Although we don’t recommend booking a group appointment for longer, more in-depth or painful procedures, booking teeth cleaning appointments or bi-yearly check-ups as a family can help your child lose their fear of the dentist. During your cleaning or check-up, your child can watch and see the pain-free nature of the appointment and be less afraid.
Hungry and tired children can often be irritable. It can also heighten their sensitivity to discomfort. For children who fear the dentist, anywhere within a one-kilometre radius of the dentist can cause them to be uncomfortable. Remove this extra factor by making sure they’re as relaxed as possible.
Children often gauge how to feel by watching adults. If an adult indicates – through words or actions – that the dentist is something to be afraid of, the child will learn and develop the fear. Put a positive spin on going to the dentist and refrain from using words like ‘needle’, ‘pain’ and ‘hurt’.
Fears develop from misunderstanding or a lack of understanding. Teach your child the importance of going to the dentist and the importance of each procedure they undergo. However, be careful not to threaten the child with such phrases as “if you don’t go to the dentist all your teeth will fall out” as this might instil the opposite message.
For children, going to the dentist can be one of the scariest things they have to do. However, dental hygiene is incredibly important to their overall health, wellbeing and development. At Maidstone Dental, we do our best to make all our patients as comfortable and informed as possible. This includes any nervous children.
To book an appointment or check-up, click here or call us on 03 9317 5636.
