Children often fear the unknown, which makes it difficult for parents to introduce new things and experiences.
A child’s first visit to the dentist is one of those experiences. There’s a lot of things they don’t understand, and there are people they don’t know holding scary-looking stuff. These may all become too much for them to handle and make them anxious about any future visit.
Dentists are aware of how fearful children — even adults— are whenever the idea of visiting them is raised. Children refusing or avoiding dental visits might experience more dental problems, which can fuel their fears of the dentist more.
Learn why children are afraid of dentists and what you can do about it.
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What are the Top Reasons Children Fear Dentists?
Children become anxious about visiting the dentist for various reasons, like:
- Parents
Children tend to emulate what their parents do. They may feel anxious if they notice their parents feel the same way about the dentist. Kids might also fear the dentist because their parents talk about dentists negatively or if they see their parents coming home from a trip to the dentist in pain.
- Terrible First Experience
The first experience with a dentist can make or break a child’s entire life. They won’t return to your dentist if they have had a bad experience. It also doesn’t help if their first trip to the dentist is because of dental issues; they might experience pain, and a tooth extraction at the first visit might traumatize them.
- Fear of the Unknown
It’s normal for children to fear unknown situations, and a first dental visit without any preparation is one of them. It puts them in an unfamiliar place full of strangers, and the tools and equipment they’ll see won’t help.
- Separation Anxiety
Some children don’t feel comfortable if their parents are away; they will cry and put up a fuss. It doesn’t help that most parents leave their kids and wait patiently in a sitting room.
- Fear of Injury or Pain
Another reason children fear dentists is because they associate dentists with pain. They might have experienced pain in a previous dental visit, or their previous dentist wasn’t gentle enough. Or they might have heard relatives talking about painful experiences at the dentist.
What to Do When Your Child is Scared of the Dentist
Your child will be nervous if it’s their first time or it’s been a while since their last dental visit. Here are some things you can do to make it a more positive and less scary experience:
Start Them Young
The best time to take your child on their first appointment is when they have their first set of baby teeth. Take them to the dentist no later than their first birthday. Exposing your child to dentists early enough will help them be less afraid of dental cleanings and checkups.
Your child will be comfortable visiting the dentist by the time they’re old enough to develop fears. They’ll be looking forward to playing in the waiting area or receiving a sticker.
Taking kids to the dentist at a young age also helps prevent tooth decay in toddlers.
Play Pretend
Play is a powerful way for children to learn about the world around them and overcome their fear of new places.
Pretend that you’re a dentist teaching them how to brush their teeth during an appointment. You can also pretend to be a dentist while brushing their teeth, then let them role-play as a dentist to take care of their doll’s “teeth.”
Role-playing helps them associate dentists with fun activities and become excited about a trip to the dentist instead of feeling anxious.
Use Positive Language
If your child asks you questions about the dentist, use positive, simple language. Do not tell your child about loud noises or pain, as they may choose to focus on these parts of the experience.
Instead, tell them how a dentist will clean and count their teeth to help keep their smile strong and healthy. Let your Durango dentist explain what they’re doing; they may already have a kid-friendly way of explaining things.
Visit a Pediatric Dentistry Specialist
The sterile white walls, large equipment, and intimidating surroundings of adult dental offices will scare children and make them uncomfortable.
A pediatric dentistry office is designed for children. It will have smaller equipment, more playful and inviting decor, and staff who understand how to keep children calm and happy.
Key Takeaway
Kids tend to be more scared about going to the dentist than adults. It may be due to terrible first experiences, their parents, separation anxiety, or fears about the unknown, injury, or pain.
As parents, you should help make their visits to a dentist a positive experience to protect them from future dental problems. Talk about dentists positively and take them to pediatric dentists to give them a more enjoyable dental experience. Try playing pretend, or take them to the dentist at an early age to have them get used to dentists without associating them with pain.
