5 Clues Your Child Might Be Nervous About the Dentist (And How to Help)
Could your child have dental anxiety?
Many children get nervous before they visit the dental office. Spinnaker Pediatric Dentistry in Salem, Oregon, wants the dentist’s office to be a safe space, so we understand that sometimes, children can just be nervous. While dental anxiety is common, there are some things that parents can do to help their children find the dentist office more of a safe space than one to be fearful of. Read on to learn five clues that could signal your child is nervous about visiting the dentist’s office.
1. Avoidance or Delay Tactics
Classic signs of anxiety are avoidance and delay tactics. Often, people will try to put off things they don’t really want to do. The same goes for children. Do you find your child trying to stall visiting the dentist, or inventing reasons to skip their appointment, like they have too much homework? Some children may also come up with sudden illnesses as excuses, like their stomach aches or they have a headache. If you find your child is trying to avoid the dentist, begin a conversation with them about why they don’t want to visit the dentist.
2. Physical Signs of Anxiety
Some children may show physical signs of anxiety when the dentist is even mentioned. If your child is fidgeting, biting their nails, or even clinging to you, they might be working themselves up before visiting the dentist. Other children may start sweating or breathing fast before or during the dental visit.
If you notice your child is having physical signs of anxiety, remove them from the situation and get your child to calm down by using slow breathing and relaxation techniques. Once they are in a better head space, take the time to reiterate that the team at Spinnaker Pediatric Dentistry is there just to check on their teeth and make sure they are growing strong and healthy.
3. Negative Talk About the Dentist
Some children may show their anxiety by talking bad about a situation before they are even in it. For example, is your child expressing fear or worry about heading to the dentist? Are they worried it is going to hurt before they even show up to the dental office? Sometimes, children will fixate on a bad experience they’ve had and expect the same outcome every time.
If you find your child is having these sorts of fears and anxieties, explain that outcomes at the dentist can vary. Sometimes, there may be some uncomfortable moments when the dentist needs to fix a cavity or scrape off some plaque, but other visits are routine and a piece of cake.
This is a good time to remind your child that keeping up with an oral health routine that includes brushing their teeth at least twice a day or two minutes each time, as well as flossing, will help keep that pain away!
4. Trouble Sleeping Before Appointments
If you find your child is having trouble sleeping the night before they are due to visit Spinnaker Pediatric Dentistry in Salem, Oregon, we suggest reading them a book about dentistry. We’ve compiled a list here of some books that explain what happens at the dentist. Sometimes, your child just needs reassurance that they have nothing to worry about when visiting Spinnaker’s Salem office.
5. Overly Quiet or Withdrawn Behavior
If your normally talkative child is suddenly quiet and avoiding contact with the Spinnaker Pediatric Dentistry staff, it could be a sign of dental anxiety. If this is the case, we encourage your child to speak with us and ask any questions they may have. We will be happy to talk through what happens during a dental evaluation, and we’ll even show them how all of our dental instruments work before they are used. We want to be sure your child has an anxiety-free dental visit!
How can you help your child feel comfortable about a visit to the dentist?
As a parent, you may be wondering what you can do to help your child be more comfortable at the dentist’s office. There are many tactics you can use to help ease your child’s dental anxiety.
First, explain to your child what happens during a biannual dental checkup. Use terms your child is familiar with, and make sure they are age appropriate. Knowing what is going to be happening during a visit can help lessen your child’s dental anxiety.
If they’re curious about how things at the dental office work, schedule a happy visit to Spinnaker Pediatric Dentistry where our team will give your child a complete tour of our office, with no treatment involved. Our team will explain what happens at a dental office, introduce your child to all of the dental tools, and allow them to experience all the sites and sounds. We’re also more than willing to answer any questions they may have.
Your child may also benefit from a comfort item during their visit to the dental office. If they have a favorite stuffed animal or toy, allow your child to bring it along so they can hold onto it during their visit.
Lastly, make sure you praise your child for their bravery after their appointment is over. Let them know you are proud of them for letting the Spinnaker team do their job by checking their teeth.
Dental anxiety is common, and some children just need some extra reassurance before sitting in the dental chair. Is your child ready for their next appointment? Contact us today to schedule your next appointment!
