How to Handle Your Child’s Dental Anxiety?

Dental anxiety in children is a very real and common problem. For some, the dental chair may seem like a scary place. The sound of the drill and the sensation of something poking around in their mouth can be quite daunting. The good news? You can help your child feel more at ease with these six steps!

If your child is fearful of going to the dentist, here are a few tips to help make their experience less stressful:

1. Talk to your child about their fears.

The best way to ease dental anxiety is to talk about it openly. Let your child know that it’s okay to be afraid, but reassure them that you will be with them every step of the way. Explain what will happen during their appointment and answer any questions they have.

2. Choose a dentist who is gentle and understanding.

Not all dentists are created equal. It’s important to find one who is gentle and understanding of your child’s fears. When it comes to choosing a dentist for your child or teen, consider a dentist that not only has experience treating this particular age group but one who is passionate about children’s dentistry.

Working with children’s dentistry makes Dr. Botero feel useful.  And creating smiles while eliminating pain brings her personal and professional completeness.

“I understand that each child is unique and like to take my time working with them to overcome dental anxiety and fear. My patient’s dental health, comfort, and happiness are what motivates me to do my absolute best every day,” Dr. Botero says.

If you have a child that fears of going to the dentist, our staff works very hard at explaining the actual need of the treatment and process to help ease patient fears and anxieties. Dr. Botero has a great reputation for treating children that are too scared of the dentist and terrified of having dental treatment done.

3. Try to relax your child before their appointment.

Some children respond well to relaxation techniques such as deep breathing or visualization exercises. You can try doing these together before their appointment to help calm them down.

4. Schedule an office tour before your appointment.

Schedule a visit to our Li’l Sunshine Smiles Dentistry before your child’s appointment so they can visualize where they will be treated and so our staff can introduce them to their dental home. Helping your child become familiar with our dental office before his appointment can go a long way in helping lessen dental anxiety!

5. Bring along comforting items.

If your child is particularly anxious, consider bringing along some comforting items from home. This could be anything from a favorite blanket to a stuffed animal. Having something familiar with them may help ease their fears.

Some children like to listen to music during treatment or to watch a show. Whatever works to keep them distracted and calm is a winner!

6. Make a dental visit a special occasion by going out for ice cream afterwards!

If you have a reward system at home, consider putting the dentist on it! Every time your child has a successful visit without any anxiety, they’ll get a star or sticker on their chart.  Eventually, they’ll have enough stars/stickers for an ice cream cone from their favorite shop! It may sound silly but it can really work!

Your Dental Home at Li’l Sunshine Smiles

Our Tampa-based facility is there to ensure that your family receives the best care medicine and science can offer with a gentle and kind approach.

Our experienced staff has tried-and-true systems that support patients and parents in the treatment process with more enjoyment and less fear!

Call 813-576-0200 to schedule a children’s dentistry consultation with Dr. Botero today!