Some kids just have a dental phobia. However, as an adult, your child’s inability to manage stress may become an issue if they are unable to keep adult dental appointments. Find out why some kids have dental anxiety and get advice on how to handle your child’s nervousness with the help of kids dentistry in New Westminster.
What is Dental Anxiety?
Dental anxiety is the tension or nervousness associated with going to the dentist. Anxiety related to dentistry may be unique to certain operations or instruments, like needles or drills.
Unfortunately, dental anxiety in childhood can cause adults to put off cleanings and checkups, which can result in oral health problems that require significant treatment down the road. The cycle continues as they now have to deal with the parts of going to the dentist that terrify them the most, including getting a local anesthetic or having a tooth extracted.
For this reason, addressing dental anxiety in children and getting them to kids dentistry near you will benefit them later on. By assisting their children in developing coping strategies or completely eliminating dental fear, parents may assure that their children will not avoid visiting the dentist as adults.
Why Do Children Have Dental Anxiety and Fear?
- Negative Dental Experience
A child’s perception of all dentists may be impacted if they have had a negative dental experience in the past. They’ll presume that future interactions with them will be comparable. Instead of anticipating having clean teeth and healthy gums, children may begin to associate general cleaning appointments with unpleasant sensations, toothaches, or loud, unsettling noises.
In order to ensure that a situation like this won’t happen again, it’s critical to comprehend and appease your youngster if they express unpleasant thoughts regarding their most recent dentist visit. In addition, as a parent, you ought to talk to the dental team about this worry, ascertain the cause of their unease, and deal with it.
- Bad Personal Hygiene
Dental problems like tooth decay or dental malformations are visible enough to make adults feel self-conscious, so it seems reasonable that kids could experience similar feelings. Children who have experienced bullying related to these matters also fear embarrassment more. Children sometimes worry that they will be penalized even for having a bad dental report, especially if it’s worse than that of a sibling.
Additionally, children may experience severe anxiety following dental cleanings that result in recommendations for fillings or other serious dental procedures.
- Absence of Comprehension
Youngsters can be intimidated or overwhelmed by the sights and noises of a dentist’s office since they are frequently fearful of new situations. Even adults may find it difficult to grasp some dental procedures; ask questions to familiarize yourself with the various methods used. This way, you’ll also be able to explain it to your kiddo.
The next time you inform your child of an impending appointment, keep in mind that they may not be able to understand, and be upfront and honest with them about what to expect during the visit. A kid is more likely to cooperate and get through the procedure without feeling anxious if they are aware of what to anticipate, what will happen when visiting a dentist in New Westminster and why.
How Can Children Keep From Getting Scared at the Dentist?
Before the big day, try these strategies to help your youngster feel more at ease:
- Allow children to bring comfort items like a teddy bear or blanket to the dentist’s office if they find solace in them.
- Employ diversions such as music, a tablet, or a phone. Even dentist offices these days provide contemporary conveniences to help nervous kids unwind, such as entertaining music, popular movies, or video games.
- Additionally beneficial are relaxation methods like deep breathing exercises.
- Your child may feel more at ease if you give them toys, candy, or ice cream as prizes for their great behavior following the visit.
- Talk to your child and be there for them. Tell them that going to the dentist near you will only be beneficial for them.
Find an Attentive Dental Team; Get in Touch Today
At Artis Dental Centre, we strive to provide a welcoming, compassionate, and especially designed dental experience for kids. We make the first dental appointment as simple, relaxing, and positive as we can since we know how it can influence a child’s attitude toward their dentist and how they will handle their oral health. Give us a call to schedule a consultation and find out more about the variety of pediatric dentistry services we provide.
