Ease Dental Anxiety with Your Kids

One of the most important ways to keep your kid cavity-free is to see the dentist regularly. Routine checkups and cleanings are completely covered by most dental plans, so there’s no reason to skip a visit.

However, if you have kids are afraid of the dentist, getting them to the dentist may feel impossible. Keep reading for some tips and tricks to ease dental anxiety with your kids to make their next appointment easier:

Tips to ease dental anxiety with your kids

Fear of the dentist is not uncommon in children. Helping them to overcome their fears is an important part of ensuring good oral health for their entire lives. Here are some tips to help them feel more comfortable at the dentist.

1. Start taking your kids to the dentist early. Children should visit the dentist within six months of their first tooth or by age one. In addition to checking on their teeth, early visits give kids a chance to become familiar with the dentist and may help reduce anxiety down the road.
2. Lead by example.  If you’re nervous about the dentist, your kids might pick up on it and adopt the same attitude. According to a study in the International Journal of Pediatric Dentistry, adults can transfer their dental anxiety or fears to family members. Make an effort to show a positive attitude toward the dentist and explain the value of regular visits.
3. Read books that explain the dental experience. Shape children’s 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.
4. Make your child comfortable with your dentist and their staff. Stop by the dental office beforehand so your kids learn what to expect in a lower-pressure situation. Introducing them to the dentist and staff without the stakes of an actual appointment can help them feel more comfortable in the environment.
5. Practice beforehand. Use playtime to create a mock dental visit in your own home to demonstrate what happens in the dental chair. Pretend to clean your child’s teeth while explaining how visiting the dentist helps keep their teeth healthy.
6. Use relaxation techniques. If you’ve tried everything and your kids still get the heebie-jeebies in the dental chair, don’t fear! Try calming them down with some simple relaxation exercises. Instruct your child to inhale and exhale slowly and steadily. To build even more positive associations with the dentist, try bringing their favorite toy or game to appointments.

A positive, comfortable relationship with your dentist or your child’s dentist is important to ease dental anxiety. Anxiety at any age can be alleviated when you’re comfortable with those who are taking care of your teeth.

*Updated April 2023