My Child Is Afraid of the Dentist: Can You Help?

You can close the closet door on the Boogey Man and chase the monsters out from under the bed; unfortunately, the only way to overcome fear of the dentist is to face it. 

Dr. Mehrnoosh Darj and our team at Affordable Dental Associates care deeply about the comfort and safety of our patients, especially our youngest patients. Parents in the El Paso, Texas, area trust our experts with their child’s oral health because we offer extensive pediatric dental services and provide support to parents of children with crippling dental anxiety. 

Why is my child so afraid of the dentist?

There are many reasons why your child might struggle with dental anxiety, but one of the primary causes is the influence of those around them. If you, their siblings, or other people in their lives are casting a negative light on the dentist's chair, chances are your child will develop dental anxiety. 

Your child might also be afraid of:

• Sounds and smells in the office
• Obstructed breathing during cleanings
• A feeling of powerlessness
• Pain

The memory of a previously painful or unpleasant experience can also turn your child off to dental cleanings. 

Our main concern with unresolved dental anxiety is the compound effect on oral health. The longer your child avoids the dentist, the longer cavities and decay are allowed to fester. At that point, your child will need much more than a simple cleaning to address their oral health problems — they may even need to have a tooth pulled. 

But we understand that no parent willingly walks into a situation they know will trigger a meltdown or full-blown panic attack in their kids. So, take the following advice from our experts and equip yourself with everything you need to help your child overcome their dental anxiety. 

It’s all about preparation

The best place to start is with conversation and preparation. Find a calm moment during the day to talk with your child about their dental anxiety and allow them to voice their concerns. This is a great time to give them answers to their questions and walk them through the steps of their procedure. 

You might also consider showing positive images of dental offices, finding an educational video, or reading a picture book about dentists.

Don’t be above bribery

You’d be hard-pressed to find a child who doesn’t respond to the promise of a reward. A new toy, a special outing, or a sweet treat can often be enough to tip the scale and get your child through our office doors. 

Bring the comforts of home

Does your child have a special stuffed animal or blanket? Bring their comfort item with them to their appointment to help keep them calm. If they’re old enough to wear headphones, you might consider allowing them to listen to some calming music to drown out the sound of our tools. 

Go to the experts

Not all dentists are specially trained to treat younger patients. Make sure you see a dentist like Dr. Darj, who has experience in pediatric dentistry.  

What not to do

In addition to the things you should do to help your child overcome dental anxiety, there are some things you shouldn’t do. 

We never recommend punishing your child if they don’t go to the dentist or have a successful experience. You also shouldn’t use dental treatment as a threat to encourage oral hygiene. 

Every reference to the dentist and oral health should be positive and encourage them to face their fears. 

Don’t let dental anxiety keep your child from getting the care they need. If you have more questions about dental anxiety or you’d like more information about our pediatric dentistry services, call or click to schedule an appointment at the Affordable Dental Associates office nearest you.