How to Teach Kids Overcome Their Fear of the Dentist

Taking your kids to the dentists is really a difficult job. Kids are normally afraid of visiting an unfamiliar dentist since they think they could be hurt through various dental extraction tools & treatments.

However, it is your prime duty as a parent to assist them in conquering their anxiety of the dentist and soothing them down! You can assist your child with overcoming fear in a number of ways.

First and foremost, you can demystify the process and make it feel comfortable to build a feeling of relaxation about going to the dentist. Apart from it, there are a number of other ways or tips you can take to keep your child's dentist appointment fearless & stress-free. Before we get into those tips, let's have a look at the root of the children's fear and anxiety.

Table Of Contents

Cause of Dentist’s fear

• As a Parent, There are Four Incredible Tips You Can Follow.
• Start With a Positive Conversation
• Give Your Kids Books About a Dentist Visit
• Play the Role of a Dentist at Home
• Bring Their Favourites at the Time of the Dentist's Visit

Final Remarks

Cause of Dentist’s Fear

Children may have seen someone get a tooth removed, a root canal, or a dental implant, and they may anticipate the worst. Besides, they may have also seen someone in excruciating pain during a dental diagnosis or treatment.

Whatever the reason maybe it is to be noted that many children with dental distress have intense feelings about going to the dentist, causing them to neglect or postpone necessary treatment. That delay or negligence leads to further oral health problems.

This is why, combating your children's fear of the dentist is a must-do task that you can never forget. Try out the tips listed below to help your kids reduce their fears. Believe us, by implementing these tips, you'll be able to provide your child with an awesome dentist experience that they've been dreading for a long time.

Why waste time? Let’s get started!

As a Parent, There are Four Incredible Tips You Can Follow.

1. Start With a Positive Conversation

Often start with a positive conversation with your child that he or she has a dental appointment coming up. Never try to mislead your kid for something, such as the dentist will not diagnose and treat them at the time of appointment. It would give them a false sense of hope only.

Instead, help them overcome their fear of dentists by preparing them for the visit. Let them know that dentists are good people who can help them improve their oral health so they can eat and drink without worrying about cavities or other oral health problems.

2. Give Your Kids Books About a Dentist Visit

Another great way to help your child conquer his or her fear of the dentist is to encourage them to read the best books on dentist visits. Learning with fun can sometimes alleviate anxiety and create a feeling of excitement in a child's mind.

By purchasing good books, such as Show Me Your Smile, Just Going to the Dentist, and Tooth Trouble, you can assist your child in learning about the various extraditing forceps techniques & treatment options available in dentistry. 

They would be more likely to visit a dentist without fear of discomfort or anxiety when they see a picture of how dentists clean teeth and provide children with excellent oral healthcare services.

3. Play the Role of a Dentist at Home

Every kid enjoys playing! You can make your child's dental appointment a fearless experience by acting as a role model (dentist) at home.

Yes, without a doubt, you can easily help your child conquer his or her anxiety of dentists by engaging in enjoyable games and acting as a dentist, illustrating the multiple diagnoses which need to be performed.

As a play way game, create a dentist's office in your home and handle your child as a patient, allowing them to learn about the various instruments and procedures used in dentistry. Inform them about the various oral health treatments available and solicit their feedback, such as which treatment they would like to undergo.

Doing so, you will just prepare them for the actual dentist's visit by telling them about the various oral health conditions but also help them understand the different medications, which relieve pain & improve the life of teeth.

4. Bring Their Favourites at the Time of the Dentist's Visit

Visiting the dentist means being separated from the mother, beloved doll, or other sources of comfort for small children. All of these things result in tears & a disappointing visit to the dentist. As a result, the children lastly fail to accept any diagnosis of their oral health issue, which leads to a number of serious problems.

Still, as a parent, it's obvious that you'll never let your child's oral health deteriorate for no reason. In the meantime, the only option is to speak with the dentist's assistant about taking the child's beloved toys into the clinic.

You can also tell the dentists about your child's habits so that they can treat him or her properly, making them feel more at ease. If your child is at ease and fearless in the diagnostic centre, only then he or she can receive the best oral health care possible. This is why it becomes your top-notch responsibility to look after your child's happiness and source of anxiety.

Final Remarks:

Apart from these, there are several other tips that you can use as a parent to help your child conquer their fear of dentists. You do not even have to deal with the scenario where your child is terrified of going to the dentist if you teach them good oral health hygiene habits.

Telling them what they should eat for proper oral health, how they should brush, and what premium dental products they should use to maintain hygiene and avoid future problems can also help you a lot. You can also help your child select the right dental devices, such as dental elevators and luxators, that they can use on a daily basis to minimise the chances of a dentist visit.

We sincerely hope you do the same!!

Cindy Wilkinson