How to Help Your Child Overcome Dental Anxiety

Dental anxiety in children is common and completely understandable. An unfamiliar environment, strange sounds, and someone looking inside their mouth -- it is a lot for a small person. The good news is that with the right approach, most children can learn to feel comfortable and even enjoy dental visits.

Why are kids afraid of the dentist?

Fear of the unknown is the biggest factor. Children who have never been to a dentist do not know what to expect. Past negative experiences (even at a doctor's office) can carry over. And well-meaning parents sometimes accidentally plant fear by saying things like 'it won't hurt' -- which introduces the idea that it might.

What you can do at home

Start dental visits early, before any treatment is needed, so the first experience is positive. Play 'dentist' at home with a toothbrush and mirror. Read books about visiting the dentist. Use positive, simple language: 'the dentist will count your teeth and make them sparkly.' Never use dental visits as threats or punishments.

How we help at ToothMatters Jr.

Our clinic is built for kids. We use the tell-show-do technique -- explaining everything in child-friendly words, showing tools before using them, and going at your child's pace. Rabb Jr. (our mascot) helps break the ice. For children with severe anxiety, we offer nitrous oxide and sedation options to make treatment comfortable.