Many people feel fearful about visiting the dentist, and your child is not alone. Many adults who suffer from dental anxiety report that it's from a bad experience they had at the dentist as a child.
There are a few things you can do to help prepare your child for their dental visits:
- Talk about the dentist in a positive way. Even if you have dental anxiety, be careful not to project your fear onto your child.
- Read stories or color pictures about the dentist, and even role-play visiting the dentist with their stuffed animals or toys.
- Consider bringing your son or daughter with you to the dentist when you have your next appointment. This allows them to see what it's like at the dental office.
You can also speak with your pediatric dentist about solutions they offer for relieving dental anxiety at their practice. There are options for sedation dentistry such as nitrous oxide (laughing gas) that can help your child feel at ease during most types of procedures. Be sure to discuss your concerns with your pediatric dentist before your child arrives for their appointment so you can have an effective plan in place to create a positive experience.
Yes. A child who has a tough time sitting still will need additional support in getting used to the dental office. We can help them become familiar with the surroundings so that when it is time for their dental cleaning, they will be used to our office and the environment.