Parents and dentists each play an important role in making a child's first dental appointment a positive experience. Any anxiety displayed by parents will be "picked up" by the child. And, an unfriendly dentist can cause unnecessary fear in the child.
To help the dental visit go more smoothly:
⇝ 1. Tell your child about the visits but limit the amount of details given. Answer any questions with simple, to-the-point answers. Let the dentist answer more complex or detailed questions. Dentists are trained to describe things to children in a nonthreatening way and in easy-to-understand language.
⇝ 2. Avoid the use of words like “hurt” or “shot” or “painful.”
⇝ 3. Don't tell your child about an unpleasant dental experience that you've had.
⇝ 4. Stress to your child how important it is to maintain healthy teeth and gums and that the dentist is a friendly doctor whose job it is to help do this.
⇝ 5. Don't promise a reward for going to the dentist.
Keep in mind that it is perfectly normal for children to be fearful - some are afraid of being separated from their parents; others are afraid of the unknown; others are afraid of being injured. A dentist who treats children will know how to cope with your child's fears and anxiety and put them at ease.
Dentist's Role
Speak in a kind voice and use simple words.
A dentist who often works will children will know how to speak gently to your child. Talking in a friendly and regulated voice tone only when necessary will help put your child at ease. Using simple words to explain procedures is also beneficial. Sometimes, a dentist will use a doll or another person to demonstrate a procedure before they perform it.
Engage the child in conversation.
Engagement is an extremely helpful tool to help your child overcome dental anxiety. Giving the child a task such as doing mental math or naming their favourite foods can keep them pleasantly distracted. Dentists can tells stories and engage them in a conversation. That way, attention is drawn away from the procedure. That will also help the child to feel more comfortable around the dental professional.
Use positive reinforcement.
Compliments and praise work as effective reinforcements for children. Applauding them for their bravery and good behavior during a dental visit can make a world of difference.
Children's fears can be expressed in a number of ways. Some children may cry; others may throw temper tantrums. Dentists often will use techniques to ease children's fears, including some of the following:
⇝ 1. The dentist should talk in a friendly voice that could become firmer if necessary.
⇝ 2. Simple words should be used to describe the procedure. Sometimes dentists will demonstrate the procedure on a doll or another person before performing the procedure on the child.
⇝ 3. Many times dentists will tell stories or engage the child in conversation as a means of drawing attention away from the procedure.
⇝ 4. Dentists often will use body language, such as a simple smile or frown, to reinforce positive behaviour and discourage negative behaviour. Praise and compliments should be given to reinforce good behaviour.
⇝ 5. The dentist may use sedation to help the child relax and be more comfortable, if necessary. The two most common types of sedation that might be used in children are nitrous oxide ("laughing gas") or an oral sedative .
Dental Fear Factors
Children's fear the dentist comes in many forms. A child's dental fear may be based on his or her general outlook toward anxiety, or other more personal things relative to the child. But again, dental fear is a massive product of similar fear in family members, particularly from parents to their children. A father's dental fear, for instance, contributes to his children's fear more than mothers, according to results from a study on kids who were from 7 to age 12. Mothers also exhibit the highest level of dental fear, reflecting a generation of behaviour that is reportedly more prevalent in girls than in boys.
Other factors that may lead to dental fear include:
⇝ 1. Fear of pain or history of a painful experience
⇝ 2. Sight or feel of dental instruments
⇝ 3. Unappealing dental setting
⇝ 4. Avoidance
⇝ 5. Recurring thoughts
⇝ 6. Emotions concerned with possible threats
⇝ 7. Socioeconomic factors
⇝ 8. Culture
⇝ 9. Family relationships
⇝ 10. Child-rearing
⇝ 11. Inadequate preparation for the first dental visit
Fear Severity
Levels of dental fear vary from person to person. A child's concerns may come out prior to a dental visit, in the dental office waiting area, or even right there in the office seat. No matter where it shows, however, parents that check themselves as a patient get a gold star in preventing, controlling, and reducing early responses to dental care.
Missed or cancelled dental appointments, fainting, sweating, complaining, flushed expression, crying, and panic attacks are some clear signs of a nervous youth.
Conscious Sedation
When nothing seems to be helping your child deal with their dental anxiety, there is another harmless option: Laughing gas. Using a safe and effective sedative will help keep your child calm during a dental procedure. Sedation dentistry is used for both kids and adults and is given as a controlled anti-anxiety medication. Most of the time, conscious sedation is enough to help the patient cope with the procedure. This kind of method allows the child to remain relaxed during the procedure. During this kind of sedation, they are still able to respond to verbal and physical stimuli. They can also breathe normally without any medical assistance. Afterward, the child will probably have no recollection of the procedure and will function normally by the next day.
For their patients’ safety, dentists and their assistants are certified to administer such drugs and have a qualified staff member to monitor vital signs of the patient during sedation. Different levels of sedation are achieved by different medications to bring on mild, moderate, or deep sedation. Medications such as Hydroxyzine or Midazolam can be taken orally for a milder sedation. Intravenous (IV) drugs are used for deeper levels of sedation.
Therapy
Sometimes it’s necessary to seek professional help for your child’s anxiety. Different therapeutic treatments like cognitive behavioural therapy or psychotherapy are worth trying. Doing so will allow your child to overcome their fears so they can receive proper dental treatment to keep their teeth and gums healthy.
More tips:
⇝ 1. Don’t tell your child about unpleasant dental experiences that you have had. This may seem obvious, but even telling stories long before they ever see the dentist may promote dental phobia for your child. Stick to positive stories when describing what it’s like at the dentist’s office.
⇝ 2. Avoid words like “hurt,” “shots,” or “painful.” Even prefacing these words with “only a little” is not going to help your child with their dental phobia.
⇝ 3. Find a child-friendly dental office.
If your child is really struggling to make it to dental appointments, it’s crucial that you find a dentist who has experience with young patients and their dental anxiety. If a dentist is not willing to take the steps to ease your child’s fear, you may have to consider finding a new dentist.
⇝ 4. Don’t give up.
It can be understandably frustrating when your child refuses to go to the dentist, even for something as small as a fluoride treatment. It’s going to take a lot of patience to deal with dental anxiety. Remember that keeping calm and nurturing is extremely helpful to a fearful child. These types of fears often only last as a phase; they will most likely grow out of it.
Helping your child overcome their fear of the dentist is beneficial for their mental and physical health. After all, giving your child the proper dental care they need is crucial for their well being.
