Is Your Child Nervous About Seeing the Dentist? These 3 Tips Can Help You Both

Did you know that about 3 in 10 children experience dental anxiety in early childhood? It’s more common than many parents realize, especially among kids unsure about what to expect.

At Kids Dental Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, our empathetic and kid-centric pediatric dentist, Dr. Bosede Adeniji, prioritizes positive experiences for parents and children. That all starts with helping children feel safe and confident.

With extensive experience in sedation dentistry, we offer options that can make dental care less intimidating and more manageable. Here are a three few proven ways to make visits easier for you and your child.

Plan with us

The American Dental Association's No. 1 tip for patients with dental anxiety is to talk to your dentist before your child’s visit. That's what we're here for!

Your child might not be able to articulate their feelings or thoughts very well if they're young or have special needs, so our team relies on our partnership with parents to ensure dental visits are comfortable and as stress-free as possible for kids.

When you talk to us before your child's appointment, our team has plenty of time to create an anxiety action plan tailored to your child's unique needs.

Most children respond to nitrous oxide (aka "laughing gas"). It's safe, easy, and provides a comfortable, anxiety-free experience for kids.

Model a positive attitude

Sure, you already know that your child watches everything you do, but you might not know just how many emotional cues they take from you. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) points out that parental attitudes toward dental care have a huge impact on a child's response to it.

Keep your tone light and casual when you mention the dentist. Tailor your mentions to your child's upcoming visit. For example, you can say that Dr. Adeniji will "count your teeth" during a checkup.

Or, if your child's having a procedure, avoid words your child might find scary, like "shot," and focus on the ease of the appointment. For example, most kids have nitrous oxide before procedures, so you could mention breathing in and feeling relaxed.

You might talk about your own experience with dental procedures in the past, emphasizing how it was over before you even knew it (a very typical experience for nitrous oxide).

Play dentist at home

If your child loves pretend play, having a home "dental office" can be a great way to lighten their fears around dental care. Explain what happens during the visit (still avoiding any scary words), demonstrate how to "open wide," and provide a toothbrush and mirror to work with.

Let your child act as both dentist and patient, and keep up your lighthearted, positive attitude. This can demystify dental tools and give your child more confidence because they've already seen these things when they arrive at our office.

Stop dental anxiety before it starts

If your child is still a baby, you have the chance to stop dental anxiety before it even starts.

Beginning dental care early and maintaining consistency are two of the most important factors in protecting your child from dental anxiety.

Studies show that kids who have their first dental visit before age 2, and those who have regular dental care (at least 1-2 visits a year) have considerably less dental anxiety than those who start later and have less-frequent dental care.

So, make sure you start early, and keep up those regular visits to ensure your child is well-acclimated to our office as they grow up.

Comfortable dental care for kids in Greenbelt, MD

These tips can make the dental experience easier for both of you, and we’re here to help at Kids Dental Center. Call us at 301-345-2881, or click here to book an appointment with Dr. Adeniji now.