Many kids (and adults) experience anxiety along with dental visits! Dr. Casey is no stranger to kids coming in with a little dental fear. This is why we are dedicated to ensuring each child experiences an anxiety-free and enjoyable visit! In fact, pediatric dentists like Dr. Casey have an additional 2 years of training beyond a general dentist to specialize in helping pediatric patients! Here are Medical Center Pediatric Dentistry’s top 5 ways to soothe anxious children before a dental visit…
Music is a great way to calm little ones!
Most kids have a “go-to” song that they love and that often calms them down or at least distracts them for a while. These songs can be a great tool for parents while relaxing their child both before and during a dental visit! This is an easy way to keep kids focused and not to worry about their appointment. Many dentists are okay with children listening to headphones even during their procedure, so feel free to ask next visit!
Talk about the appointment the night before.
Sometimes kids just need is to talk about their fears. Many children are far less scared of the dentist than they are of the unknown! Talking with your child can be exactly what they need for a smooth sailing appointment the next day. This also gives children the time to feel better and more at ease with the idea, so tomorrow morning you can answer any last questions with no rush. Some kids just need to know it’s going to be okay and there is nothing to worry about!
Watch a Mouth Healthy dental episode with your kid!
There are so many great videos that your children can watch to become more comfortable with dental visits. We love videos such as the "Peppa the Pig Visits the Dentist" or "Daniel Tiger Gets His Teeth Cleaned" clips on YouTube. Many of these videos explain different dental procedures and the importance of brushing in easy terms that kids can understand. They also introduce kids to many dental terms and tools. These cartoons with colorful characters make it easy to connect with kids in a comfortable and easy-to-understand way.
Knowledge is power, especially with anxiety in kids.
American Dental Association has a great non-profit website, Mouth Healthy, which is a great tool for overcoming fears and anxiety, especially if it pertains to the unknown. That is why we recommend trying a few games and quizzes on Mouth Healthy‘s website, designed specifically to help children learn more and worry less! These are a great way to add health and fun into a kid-friendly activity that each child will enjoy! Not to worry, there are plenty to choose from, so what are you waiting for
Make oral health an everyday activity in your family!
Making oral health a priority for your family can take away from the fear children have. Supportive families tend to be healthier, happier, and even experience less anxiety! Let your child know that oral health is important and not something to feel anxious about. Teach them that keeping up with oral health on the daily basis means there is nothing to worry about at dental appointments! Good life-long oral health is the key to good life-long overall health!
Your child’s comfort is important to us! We strive to give every child an anxiety-free experience that they’ll enjoy! For more tips on soothing dental anxiety in kids, feel free to contact us today!
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