Minimising Dental Anxiety From A Young Age
Dental anxiety is hugely common, especially amongst younger people and children. This can make visiting the dentist an unpleasant experience, not only for the child having the check up, but also for the parent. At 41 South Bar, our family-run Banbury dental surgery, we are committed to creating a less intimidating, more relaxed environment for our smaller clients, to ensure their visit and treatments go as smoothly as possible. Our reviews reflect this, with many patients who have previously been afraid of going to the dentist, expressing how comfortable they felt during their visit.
Whilst we will do everything to build the trust of our more anxious patients when they arrive at the practice, we also recommend that parents address their fears leading up to the appointment. We have put together a simple guide below, with some tips on how to minimise your child’s dental anxiety, so keep reading to find out more.
What Is Dental Anxiety?
Simply put, dental anxiety is a state of apprehension associated with going to the dentist. A child suffering from dental anxiety will likely experience high levels of stress and fear prior to their appointment, in fear something bad is going to happen. Some signs your child is suffering with dental anxiety, include, but are not limited to:
- Nervousness
- Feelings of stress
- Nausea
- Crying or signs of panic
What Impact Can Dental Anxiety Have?
It can be distressing to see your child suffering with dental anxiety, which often leads to parents postponing or cancelling appointments. In the long-term, this is going to lead to more serious complications. Missing regular dental check-ups will ultimately have an adverse effect on your child’s oral hygiene, for example:
- Increased plaque and tartar build-up
- Increased risk of gum disease
- Increased risk of tooth decay, which could lead to the child needing crown treatments
To avoid any irreparable damage to your child’s teeth and gums, it is important to be proactive, while they are younger, and take necessary steps to overcome their dental anxiety. Moreover, this will reduce the risk of them needing crown treatments, bridges and dental implants, in the future.
How To Help Your Child Overcome Their Fear Of The Dentist
Although it is difficult to prevent dental anxiety completely, parents and dentists can work together to improve the child’s experience prior to and during their check-up. If you’re wondering what you can do to help your child, here are some of our best tips:
Choose A Family-Friendly Banbury Dental Surgery
Choosing the right dentist is hugely important. Our dental team at 41 South bar are all committed to making each child’s experience as comfortable and welcoming as possible. Each team member is trained to deal with children, so will be able to answer all of their questions and address any concerns before the check-up. We recognise the importance of building trust with each child, so that their next visit is less intimidating.
Schedule Regular Dental Appointments
Although it can be a stressful ordeal, it is important to book regular appointments for your child, especially when they suffer from dental anxiety, as this will help them conquer their fears. It is recommended to make an appointment every six months, to not only ensure your child’s oral hygiene is maintained, but to also allow them to become familiar with the dentist and the whole procedure. This is going to help them to develop a sense of security and build confidence each time they visit.
Give Your Child Prior Encouragement
Whilst it might seem like a good idea to not make your child aware of their upcoming appointment too early in advance, giving them enough warning will help them to process their dental anxiety. It is a good idea to encourage conversations with your child about their dentist, how it all works and why it is necessary.
Give Your Child Rewards
A great way to promote positive association with the dentist is by rewarding them after their visit. Whether it is taking them out for a treat meal, or letting them choose a new toy, the child will start to associate going to the dentist with their favourite rewards, which will hopefully encourage them to want to have a check-up more often.
Alternatively, if a child has a favourite stuffed animal or toy, it may be a good idea to bring this with you to help minimise their fear and anxiety. This can also be used to distract them whilst waiting to be seen and during their appointment.
Teach Them The Importance Of Oral Hygiene
Finally, it is important you are constantly teaching your child about the importance of good dental hygiene from a younger age. Whilst it can be tempting to warn your child about the serious dangers of missing their appointment or failing to brush their teeth in, this will only increase their fear of the dentist. Instead, use positive reinforcement through rewards, or perhaps by playing a fun song, or buying them a children’s-themed toothbrush. Read our blog for more information on how to teach your children correct oral hygiene.
Book An Appointment With Family-Friendly Banbury Dental Surgery
If you’d like to book an appointment with our award-winning, family-friendly Banbury dental surgery, please contact us today on 01295 262008 or via email at info@41southbar.com. We’d be happy to answer any of your questions relating to your child’s dental anxiety and talk you through the steps we take to ensure their experience is as stress-free and as comfortable as possible.