How You Can Help Your Kids Overcome Dental Fears

Tips to Help Your Kids Overcome Dental Fears

Dental fear is increasingly being recognised as a major worry for the public health system since failure to visit the dentist on a regular basis can lead to poor oral health. Dental fear is prevalent among young children, with research indicating that as much as 43% of kids are afraid of visiting the dentist. There are many reasons that can result to this- the sounds or smell of a dental clinic may cause them to feel anxious, they may have heard awful stories about visiting the dentist from their friends, or they may just have issues about having their personal space invaded.
Dental anxiety or dental fear is something that both the parents and the dentist need to take seriously. As much as every patient is different and what works for one may not work for the other, there are some general tips that may help lower dental fear among children. If you would like to know how you can help your kid get past dental fears, then read on.

Contents

Causes of Dental Fear
What Can Parent Do to Help?
How Can Dentists Assist Children Overcome Dental Anxiety?
Nothing Seems to Work! What Should I do?
Why Should Ought to Take Your Child to a Dentist?

Causes of Dental Fear among Children

In general, fear is considered to be a normal reaction, an instinct we all need for survival. It helps us mark possible signals for us to be attentive or possible points of danger. Children experience fear at different stages. For example, a child may have a fear of dark or a dog. At around the age of nine, children develop the fear of physical injury. This fear mostly comes from a constant warning from their parents to avoid dangerous things. It can also be as a result of influenced conversations from friends, television or images. There are quite a number of factors that may make children develop the fear of visiting a dentist. Here are some of them:

1. Fear of The Unknown

Remember, there is no single child who was born with a gene of “fear of the dentist.” When a child visits a dentist for the first time and expresses fear, it’s mainly because of the fear of the unknown, in addition to the information, he/she has received from his/her surroundings. It can be from stories from friends or other siblings, and sometimes it can be subliminal messages that the child has observed from the parent’s reaction. Some parents may feel the need to psychologically prepare the child to visit the dentist and may sometimes use words that exhibit fear to the child. For example, a parent may use just a simple phrase to the child such as “don’t worry, it doesn’t hurt” or “don’t be afraid.” This will make the child have the notion that there may be some possible pain even before getting on the examination table. Some fear will automatically begin to amount on the child.

2. Lack of Trust

The simple definition of trust is a person’s expectation that some specific promise will be met. If a dentist or doctor breaks the trust of a child, this may result in the child losing trust in all doctors. Trust for a child is gained by the behaviour of the parents and relatives, and the kind of statement the child is exposed to about trusting the dentist. Trusting your dentist is a very important factor in dental fear, for both the parents and children.

3. Fears of Penetration

Dental treatments need some invasion into the personal space of the child- not just through physical contact but also his body and mouth as he lies helplessly with his/her mouth wide open. The fear of losing control- the child did not voluntarily visit the dentist for treatment, but his parents brought him. The child lies in the dentist chair, and an authoritative figure is trying to tell him what to do and what not. This makes the child feel helpless and not in control of his own personal space.

4. Fear of Pain

Pain is something that still can be experienced even in the modern dentistry during dental treatments, and therefore, the fear of pain is unavoidable even to adults. Sometimes, the kid will feel pain as a result of experience from others or his experience. He can also feel pain because of the statement made about the situation even if the dentist has done everything possible to mitigate the pain.

5. Parents Pass Down The Fear

Studies show that parents who are afraid of visiting the dentist may unconsciously pass down the fear to their children. As a result, they could be instilling fear to their children without them knowing that they are doing so. Children do view their parents as their role models, so when they show their fear of the dentist, the children might as well think that dental visits are something to be afraid of.

What Can Parent Do to Help?

Taking your kids to the dentist is paramount to keep their teeth healthy and promote proper oral hygiene habits. But for most kids, a visit to the dentist is not something they anticipate. Parents play a pivot role when it comes to fear of a dentist. The very first visit of your child to the dentist is what sets his/her expectations for future meetings. It can be extremely challenging to treat a child with dental fear and anxiety. It does not only pose difficulties in providing dental care, but it is also detrimental to the oral health of the child since it hinders the receipt of preventive dental care.

Below are some few tips on what parents can do to help their children ease the dental fear.

1. Start Dental Visits While Still Young
Australian Dental Association advise parents to take their kids to the dentist as soon as their first tooth shows up on ttthe child and no later than their first birthday. This is not only beneficial to the child’s dental health when they grow up, but gets them to familiarize with the dental office and the environment. It helps them feel much more comfortable with the dental procedures and builds trust with the dentist. Additionally, taking your kid early to the dentists enables you to teach your child the importance of proper oral hygiene when they are still young.
2. Play “Dentist” With Them
Before you take your child to the dentist for an appointment, try playing dentist with him/her. Let your child pretend to be the patient and vice-versa. With just a chair, a mirror and a toothbrush, you can easily set up and pretend to be in a dental office in your own home. You can walk your child through what dental procedures they are likely to receive from a dental office. By doing this, your child will be mentally prepared on what to expect when they visit the dental office for an appointment.
3. Keep It Simple
During dental visits, especially if it is for the first time try not to include too many complicated details. By doing so, it will only raise more suspicion and questions. Keep a positive attitude while you are discussing an upcoming dental visit, but still be careful not to give your child false hope. If you give him/her too much hope and it doesn’t turn as he/she would have expected, they may lose trust in both you and the dentist.
4. Avoid Bribery
It is not a simple task to teach your children to practice good oral hygiene. You may be tempted to offer a bribe if they behave themselves during a dental appointment but it is advisable to use this approach sparingly. Studies reveal that bribing your kids to do some vital things like visiting a healthcare provider may not be so productive especially when they grow up. You would want your children to take visits to the dentist as something they should do without necessarily expecting a reward in return.
5. Avoid the Details
Children are inquisitive, and it is normal for them to ask you many questions about visiting the dentist. It is vital that you provide them with enough information to prepare them mentally, but be careful not to get into details that may increase their anxiety. Try and keep the details at a minimum and only answer their questions with questions so as to put them on a calm mind set.
6. Emphasize the Importance of Good Dental Health
Teach your child the importance of visiting the dentist. Make them understand that visiting the dentist is a necessity, not a choice and that the dentist will provide proper care to their teeth to become strong enough for them to eat anything. Also, explain to them that regular visits to a dentist help in keeping cavities a bay and will ensure that they have a beautiful smile years to come.
7. Don’t Take Them to Your Appointments
You might be tempted to take your child with you to your dentist appointment or even talk negatively about visiting the dentist. Try as much as possible to avoid this because it can be hard for you the next time you will be trying to take them to their dental appointment. Kids are very easy to pick anxiety in adults and would easily know when they are uncomfortable. This can easily make them feel uneasy and sad. If they hear you talk about how scary it is to receive a dental canal, it can give them dental fear that they can easily carry into their adult life.

How Can Dentists Assist Children Overcome Dental Anxiety?

These days, most of our dentists are trained in dealing with anxious or nervous patients. A majority of the undergraduate courses include training on things like behaviour management and distraction techniques. Such teachings are very helpful especially when dealing with children. The major aspect for a child is the fear of the unknown. When the child notices their parent acting nervously, and they are not sure what to expect, then their imaginations run wildly painting all sorts of pictures. Therefore, it is important for the dentist to ensure that their young customers are relaxed, comfortable and know what is expected to happen. Although each child is different and what works for one may have an opposite impact to another,
here are some tips to lower anxiety levels for your younger patients.

– Engage the Child in a Conversation.

Engaging in an interesting conversation is a helpful tool in assisting the child rise above dental anxiety. Giving your patient some tasks like naming their favourite food or doing mental math can keep the distracted. Dentists may as well tell stories or engage them in a question and answer conversation. This way, the attention is drawn away from the dental procedure.

– Teach the Child Some Relaxation Techniques.

The dentist should include time for relaxation in their appointment since rushing through a visit with a child who is already anxious will only worsen the situation. There are various methods in which a dentist can use such as muscle relaxation; the child is told to tense and relax their muscles regressively from toes to face. Another fun and an excellent exercise for anxiety is five minutescontrolled breathing. The child is taught to take some time and inhale and take even longer to exhale. This allows the stomach to expand while inhaling which causes the child to relax. Another great way is the use of meditation CDs. The CD comprises of short meditation exercises which encourage the child to use breathing and visualization to achieve a great state of calmness.

– Use Positive Reinforcement.

Praise work and compliments are effective and efficient reinforcements for children. Congratulating the child for their good behaviour and bravery during their dental visit can make a huge difference. Research has proved that behavioural guidance administered by a dentist builds trust and relieves anxiety and fear from a child. Ultimately, not just application of simple techniques used for dealing with the child works, rather it is the nurtured relationship between the child and the dentist.

– Speak to the Child’s Parents

The dentist should not assume to have a magical solution to the child’s anxiety. Mostly, parents are in the best position of giving information regarding the type of approach to be used in calming their child anxiety. The child may have a toy they like so much, parents should be encouraged to carry it along every time they visit the dental clinic to comfort the child. Some other times things work better when the parents calm the child other than the dentist.

– Speak in Kind Voice and use very Simple Words.

Dentists who frequently work with children know how to approach and gently speak to the young patients. Speaking in a friendly tone and a regulated voice will not only put the child at ease but also win some confidence from the child. Use of simple words to explain the procedure is also effective. Other times, a dentist will have to use a doll or another person familiar to the child to demonstrate how the procedure will take place.

– Use Non-Verbal Communication to Your Advantage.

Assure the child with a smile that everything will be fine. Use short and simple sentences to communicate with the child. Try engaging them with questions you believe they might enjoy answering. It is paramount that you are relaxed when attending to them since children can be very sensitive when it comes to picking anxiety in others. Ensure that your quality of life is as best as possible so that you can relax and recoup energy when required.

– Train Your Staff Well to be Sensitive to Anxiety.

One of the biggest mistakes most of the dentists make is failing to uphold good chair side manners when dealing with patients. Rough staff can easily trigger anxiety and reduce the likelihood of the children want to return to your clinic. The surroundings of the dental room should be child-friendly. It is also important to ensure that your staff likes children and is willing to go extra miles just to make their patients comfortable. Also when hiring staff, it is vital to ask them how well they can help a child with anxiety. Those with experience may have few ideas that you can incorporate in your clinic.

– Reschedule If Necessary.

Instances when a child completely refuses to open their mouth or show signs of panic attack stop and try some relaxation techniques. If no progress has been made, it’s advisable to suggest rescheduling the appointment to the parents. If the child has a complex procedure, try breaking the session into shorter ones so that the child will not have to seat in the dental chair for too long.

– Entertain Them.

Create a child-friendly environment by playing their favourite type of music while treating them. Ensure that the clinic is inviting and warm; the wall should appealing with a colourful design.

– Appearance.

Dressing can be tricky especially when dealing with children. Studies of what type of attire puts children at ease have received mixed and surprising results. Since there is less that can be done about dressing, you can tailor your attire according to your clientele preference.

Nothing Seems to Work! What Should I do?

When nothing seems to work to help your child ease their anxiety, try the following tips
– Talk to The Dentist About Your Child’s Fear
If you notice that you have tried everything and nothing seem to work to help your child ease dental fear, talk to the dentist about it. Informing your dentist about your child’s fear will make things easier for both of you. The dentist will be prepared to handle things differently with your child.
– Consider Conscious Sedation
Using an effective and safe sedative will help your kid to calm during a dental procedure. Dentists have been trained and certified to handle and offer conscious sedation within their facilities. Most of the time, conscious sedation is enough to help any patient to cope with dental procedures.
– Therapy May be a Helpful Option
Sometimes it may be necessary to have your child receive therapy so as to overcome dental fear. Receiving both psychotherapy and behavioural therapy will help your child to receive the kind of dental treatment they need.

Why Should Ought to Take Your Child to a Dentist?

Many parents assume the importance of taking their children to a dentist because, after all, the teeth will fall off. Children are young. Therefore their teeth are fairly healthy, but this does not mean they should only visit the dentist once a year. Baby teeth greatly influence emotional health, oral health and the general health of a child. Here is why it is important to take your child to the dentist regularly.
1. To make ensure adult teeth are coming in properly.
Unfortunately, many things may go wrong when the baby teeth are falling out, and the adult teeth are coming in. When the baby teeth happen to fall out too soon, or adult teeth come in too early, this may result in a crooked smile. Treating such problems early can bring a huge difference.
2. Find little cavities before they get big.
Finding the cavities when they are still small not only does it save your time and money but also saves your child from a lot of pain.
3. Teach them how to care for their teeth.
Your child will get some knowledge of how well to care for their teeth apart from just getting an exam and cleaning. Dentists are excellent teachers; they teach your child good brushing techniques which can go a long way in assisting your child to become better about brushing at home.
4. Prevention is the best medicine.
Regular dental checkups play a big role in preventing dental problems from occurring.
5. Fight cavities with a dental cleaning.
Dental visits should include teeth cleaning where plaque and tartar are removed and then polished till they are smooth. This will make it hard for the bacteria to stick around causing cavities. Dental cleaning is very important to your child since it gets rid of the gunk that cannot be cleaned with brushing alone.

Tips to Help Your Kids Overcome Dental Fears

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