Dental anxiety is more common than many patients realize, and it can affect toddlers, grandparents, and everyone in between. At Hooks Family Dentistry, we understand how important it is to accommodate for dental anxiety, especially from a young age, so that patients can overcome their fears and attend regular dental visits.
Discuss Dentistry Openly & Positively
Part of what can make visiting the dentist so intimidating for a child is the fear of the unknown. When they are meeting new people and dental tools are making loud sounds throughout the office, it can all be overwhelming. If it’s your child’s first dental appointment ever, we recommend going over what they can expect to happen during their visit in an age-appropriate way. Our team can also go over the tools that we will be using, answer your child’s questions, and work at a pace that they feel comfortable with.
Schedule Regular Dental Visits
The more a child visits the dentist, the more familiar the office, team, and dental cleanings and exams will seem to them. By scheduling regular dental visits from a young age (ideally around the time they turn one or when their first tooth grows in), your child will essentially grow up visiting the dentist regularly and not know any different. Keeping up with routine dental visits also decreases the odds that they will develop tooth decay, gum disease, or other dental issues that require restorative treatments, and the less dental work a child receives, the less anxiety they will likely feel.
Keep Things Fun!
If your child has a favorite stuffed animal or fidget toy, it may help them feel braver to have their toy with them as they sit in the dental chair. Our office has ceiling-mounted TVs and putting on a kid-friendly show while we take care of your child’s smile can be a great distraction and help the time fly by as well. It can also be helpful to schedule a fun activity, like going to the park or seeing a movie, after their visit and reminding your child that after they bravely accomplish their dental visit, they have a fun activity to look forward to post-treatment.
Have more questions for our team? Ready to schedule your child’s next visit? Please contact our office, and we will be happy to assist.
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