ild that you’re comfortable and calm. Instances of fear or pain during the demonstration will just reinforce their fears.
Teach Them Relaxation Techniques
Some children may not be able to overcome their anxious feelings through knowledge alone. In order to help tamp down the physical feelings of anxiety in your child, teach them relaxation techniques. Give them an MP3 player to listen to some relaxing music before or even during the exam. Tell them to slowly count backwards from 10 when their anxious feelings are getting the better of them.
Teach them deep-breathing exercises. Breathe in deeply, hold it for a second or two, and then breathe out slowly. Continue doing this cycle of breathing in a steady, rhythmic pace until they are calm.
Exercise is another useful relaxation tool. Before the appointment, play some sports with your child, go for a bike ride together or do some simple exercise routines to burn off some energy and help lower levels of the stress hormone, cortisol.
One of the best ways to reduce anxiety is by taking your mind off of the event. Toys, books, and games are all great ways to help distract children and give them something fun to do before their appointment starts. That’s why many dentist offices have playrooms with toys, stuffed animals, books, and even televisions. You can let your child play in these playrooms before their exam starts, or you can bring their own toys and games. Thanks to smartphones and tablets, you can download and play many different video games with your child right in the lobby.
Use Positive Reinforcement
If your child walks away from the dentist correlating many of the events with positive outcomes, they will soon start finding dentist appointments to be positive experiences. Take note of every instance of good behavior or bravery, such as sitting still for an exam or making it through a possibly uncomfortable or painful procedure, and reward them with a sticker or trading card. You can even build up the rewards towards a bigger reward. For example, if they collect enough stickers, they can trade them in for a small toy.
Be There for Them
Simply having a parent present during the procedure or demonstration can work wonders for a child’s anxiety. Hold their hand, keep talking to them, even if they can’t respond verbally, and keep everything light and calm.
It’s important to slowly wean them off of your presence as they get older. After a few visits, stay outside of the room, and tell the dentist to call for you as soon as your child seems visibly anxious and requests for you to reenter. Keep up that routine until you’re able to spend the whole visit in the lobby. Remember to implement positive reinforcement throughout the process.
Only Visit Family-Oriented or Pediatric Dentists
Most dentists can work with children without many problems, but family-oriented and pediatric offices specifically tailor to children. They have bright and colorful offices, with plenty of children around to make your child seem less alone in their experience, and the dentists and hygienists know just how to talk to anxious children to make the more comfortable.
Dental anxiety in children is quite common, but also easily manageable. With these techniques, some patience, and a gentle approach, you can help significantly decrease or even eliminate your child’s dental anxiety over time.