As parents, we have a duty to provide the most favorable exposure to all the new things they’ll experience in life. The consensus is to introduce them to new things slowly and gently. After all, your dentist’s treatment room may contain some unfamiliar sights and sounds, which could trigger a reaction.
This is why the Twickenham Family Dentistry team recommends that dental anxiety in children should be addressed before it even emerges. We agree that working towards a great dental experience will help your children embrace their dental care as adults.
What Might Be Behind Your Child’s Anxiety
We know that children who find dental care stressful feel that way for numerous reasons. First, some children struggle with all kinds of new experiences, so nothing specific makes them anxious aside from its newness. In other cases, children inherit dental anxiety from their parents, who themselves had bad experiences as children.
Other factors that contribute to a stress reaction at the dental office are:
- Association with another painful experience
- The strange sounds and smells of the dental office
- Some discomfort when keeping their mouth open
- Impressions from popular culture that tooth care is scary
- Observation of other patients who feel anxious
Parents have the power to head off any of these stimuli before they become a problem. Our team encourages open communication with your child before care, using especially positive language and tone.
Our team also recommends that you bring your child to your routine pediatric dentists' appointments from an early age. We can let them explore the office and take a test ride in the treatment chair. We’ll often let your child sit in your lap for their first appointments while our dentists examine their teeth.
You can also use positive reinforcement, letting them bring a favorite toy or stuffed animal to make them feel calmer. We also recommend you avoid suggesting that dental care is in any way punishment for not brushing their teeth.
We Help Your Child with Dental Anxiety in Huntsville, AL
Your child’s permanent teeth were meant to be just that, permanent. One way to ensure that outcome is to help them establish a lifelong positive regard for their oral health care. We encourage you to contact our office today to learn more and schedule a checkup.