How to Ease Dental Anxiety in Children: Tips for Stress-Free Dentist Visits

*Updated February 2026

Key takeaways about easing dental anxiety in children:

• Seeing a dentist by age one helps children feel familiar and comfortable, reducing fear over time.
• Modeling calm behavior, using books, and practicing at home can make dental visits less intimidating.
• Regular check-ups every six months help children feel more at ease and support lifelong healthy habits.

Regular dental check-ups are a vital part of keeping your child’s smile healthy and preventing issues like cavities and gum disease. However, for many kids, the thought of visiting the dentist can spark feelings of fear or dental anxiety. As a parent, it’s important to address these concerns early to help your child feel comfortable and confident about dental care.

Here are some effective strategies to ease dental anxiety and ensure your child builds healthy habits that will last a lifetime.

Tips to ease dental anxiety in children

It’s not unusual for children to feel nervous about visiting the dentist. To make their next dental appointment a more positive experience, try these helpful tips to help them feel at ease:

Start taking your kids to the dentist early. The American Dental Association recommends children visit the dentist when their first tooth appears or by age one. Early exposure gives kids a chance to become familiar with the dentist and can help reduce dental anxiety down the road.

Lead by example. If you’re nervous about the dentist, your kids might pick up on it and adopt a similar attitude. According to a study in the International Journal of Pediatric Dentistry, adults can unintentionally transfer their dental anxiety or fears to family members.

Make a conscious effort to demonstrate a positive attitude toward the dentist while articulating the value of regular visits. By modeling relaxed behavior, you can show your kids there’s nothing to be afraid of.

Read books that explain the dental experience. Reshape attitudes with the power of the page. Pick up library books that explain dental appointments in kid-friendly language. Popular options include Curious George Visits the Dentist by A. Rey, Just Going to the Dentist by Mercer Mayer, and Open Wide: School Tooth Inside by Laurie Keller.

Help your child feel comfortable with their dentist and staff. Stop by the dental office before the appointment so your kids learn what to expect in a lower-pressure situation. Introducing them to the dental team without the stakes of an actual appointment can help them feel more comfortable in the environment and alleviate dental anxiety.

Practice “going to the dentist” beforehand. Try running through a mock dental visit in your own home to prevent any confusion they might have about what happens in the dentist’s chair. Pretend to clean your child’s teeth while explaining how visiting the dentist helps keep their smiles healthy.

Use relaxation techniques. If you’ve tried everything and your kids still get nervous in the dental chair, don’t fear! Try calming them down with some simple relaxation exercises, including instructing your child to inhale and exhale slowly and steadily. You can also try a technique where they imagine themselves being quiet and calm in their favorite place.

Pro tip: To build even more positive associations with the dentist, try bringing their favorite toy or game to appointments.

Keep up with dental check-ups. Once you bring your child in for their first dental check-up, it’s important to have them seen every six months thereafter.

A study from the research journal Children looked at the most effective ways to reduce dental anxiety in kids and found that the “frequency of dental experiences seems to act as a positive factor in reducing children’s anxiety. Specifically, our study shows a significant difference when check-ups are performed every 6 months or every year.”

Maintaining a consistent check-up routine can help them feel more comfortable with dental visits.

Dental anxiety in children can be helped

Building a positive and comfortable relationship with your child’s dentist is key in easing their dental anxiety. Simple techniques before and during the check-up can help reduce fear, answer questions, and create a safe environment that fosters confidence and calm during appointments.

Want more tips on overcoming dental anxiety? Check out “Tips for Dentists to Help Patients with Dental Anxiety” for more advice to make every dental visit stress-free.