3 Tips for Helping Kids Deal with Anxiety While at The Dentist

Is your child having trouble overcoming the fear of dental visits? Here are a few tips to help them cope and enjoy dental visits while they’re young.

Below are 3 tips for helping kids deal with anxiety while at the dentist:
 
Parental Involvement
The presence of a parent or even a sibling can help comfort your little one. Scheduling an appointment for both your child and a family member is one way to show him that he is not alone. Children often like to copy their older siblings and want to be just like them, so having your child watch his brother or sister in the dentist's chair can give him that extra boost of confidence he needs. And when it's his turn to sit in the chair, you and his sibling can cheer him on from the sidelines. Source: Colgate
 
Positive Reinforcement
When preparing for a visit, especially the first time, try not to include too many details. Doing so will raise more questions, and adding more information about an extra treatment like a filling he might need may cause unnecessary anxiety. Keep a positive attitude when discussing an upcoming visit, but don't give your child false hope. "Avoid saying that everything will be fine, because if your child ends up needing a treatment, he might lose trust in both the dentist and you," says Joel H. Berg, D.D.S., M.S., Director of the Department of Dentistry at Seattle Children's Hospital. Source: Parents
 
Distraction
Distraction can be useful in minimizing dental anxiety. There are several methods of distraction for the clinician to consider. First, if the child is playing with a toy in the waiting room, it is possible that the toy could also serve to distract the child in the dental chair. Obviously, not all toys or procedures are amenable to this strategy, but it should at least be considered. Further, simple dialogue with the clinician may serve to distract a child. Initially, the clinician can attempt to engage the child in a discussion about a pleasant topic. This will not only distract the child, but will also serve to build rapport. However, once a procedure is initiated, the child will be unable to participate in conversation. Source: DentistryToday
 
For more tips or to book an appointment, contact us today!
 
Contact:
Sound Smiles Pediatric Dentistry
1628 S Mildred St #201, Tacoma, WA 98465
(253) 448-8140