Dental Anxiety Tips for Parents and Children

There are a few common trends among many children when it comes to dental care, and one that many parents are familiar with here is dental anxiety. For understandable and common reasons, many kids simply don't enjoy or even outright dread going to the dentist - but there are ways that both parents and kids can overcome these fears and maintain important oral care throughout their lives.

At Hillfield Pediatric & Family Dentistry, we're happy to offer a wide range of kids dentist and family dentist services to families around Layton and nearby areas, including comprehensive pediatric dentist solutions for kids of all ages. Here are some basics on why dental anxiety happens for some kids, how common it is, and some basic tactics for both parents and children to help overcome it.

Dental Anxiety Basics and Causes

Firstly, why do some children experience dental anxiety? There are several potential reasons, including the following:

• Fear of pain: For some kids, simply knowing that they might experience pain during a dentist visit is enough to cause anxiety and fear.
• Previous negative experiences: Similarly, if a child has had a bad or traumatic experience at the dentist in the past, this can easily lead to ongoing anxiety and fear.
• Fear of the unknown: Many children are also afraid of things they don't understand or have never experienced before, and a dentist visit can definitely fall into this category.
• Parental influence: In some cases, parents who themselves have dental anxiety can pass this onto their children.

How Common is Dental Anxiety?

The simple answer here is that dental anxiety is extremely common among children of all ages. In fact, nearly 20% of kids experience dental anxiety at some level or another, with many more simply expressing a strong dislike for the dentist without being fully fearful.

At Hillfield Pediatric & Family Dentistry, we're highly experienced in helping kids overcome these fears and have positive experiences that set them on the right track for oral health. In fact, our team is full of caring and empathetic professionals who are skilled at easing children's fears and making them feel safe and comfortable while receiving dental care.

Tactics for Parents                            

As a parent, one of the best things you can do to help your child overcome dental anxiety is to be aware of their concerns and work with them to find the best solutions. Here are a few simple tactics that can help:

• Be honest with your child about what to expect at the dentist, but avoid using scary words or phrases.
• Use positive reinforcement and praise for good behavior during dental visits.
• Consider bringing along a comfort item, such as a favorite toy or book, to provide some security for your child during the visit.

Tactics for Kids

For kids themselves, here are a few simple tips to help with dental anxiety:

• Take deep breaths and relax while in the dentist's chair. This can help calm nerves and make the experience more enjoyable.
• Try bringing along headphones or a favorite toy to distract yourself during the visit.
• Ask questions about what your dentist is doing so you can better understand the process and feel more in control.

With these simple tactics, dental anxiety can be effectively managed and kids can learn to enjoy their visits to the dentist. The team at Hillfield Pediatric & Family Dentistry is here to help your child have positive experiences every time they visit our office. Contact us today to learn more or schedule an appointment!