My Child Is Afraid of Going to the Dentist: What Can I Do to Help?

Is your child scared to visit the dentist? If so, they’re not alone. Many children with and without other special needs fear seeing the dentist.

Compassionate and experienced pediatric dentists Brent Herrin, DMD, and Allison Petty, DMD, from Herrin Pediatric Dentistry in Marietta, GA, use special techniques and tools like sedation dentistry to support your anxious child through their dental visit. Here’s what you can do to help if your child is afraid of the dentist.

What is dental fear?

Dental fear describes any type of anxiety your child has around visiting the dentist. Your child might be afraid of dental tools or procedures, the office, or meeting new people like the dental team.

If not addressed, children who fear the dentist may not receive the treatment they need. This can lead to greater dental problems later on and continue after the child becomes an adult.

Why children can fear the dentist

There are many reasons your child might fear the dentist. Some children have had a bad experience at the dentist in the past or dislike the sights, smells, and feelings of dental appliances or noises.

Whatever the reason your child experiences dental fear, overcoming the fear and visiting the dentist is extremely important for their oral and overall health. Children who attend all their dental appointments are less likely to experience cavities and gum disease.  

How you can help your child

If your child is afraid of the dentist, there are several things you can do to help prepare your child for the dental visit. First, never talk about visiting the dentist as a punishment. For example, don’t use a dental visit as a threat if your child doesn’t want to brush their teeth.

After scheduling an appointment or procedure, inform your child about it. Discuss with your child what to expect at the appointment so they come prepared.

If it helps comfort your child, they can bring a blanket or special toy to the appointment. Reassure your child you can be with them for the entire appointment.

If your child is older, you can practice calming and deep breathing techniques to help them stay calm at the dentist’s office. You can also plan a special outing or reward after the visit.

Finally, talking to our team about your child’s needs and making a plan in advance means your child will be in safe and caring hands.

How our team helps with dental anxiety

Our dental team is trained to help any child who has anxiety about dental visits. We create our space with a calming, child-friendly approach and use gentle, caring, and soft touch to help all children feel comfortable in the dental office. 

We can also plan interventions, such as having your child come in before their appointment to meet our team and see the dental space and equipment.

Some anxious children also benefit from using nitrous oxide, or laughing gas, during appointments. This safe analgesic helps relax your child for appointments while remaining awake and wears off quickly after the appointment.

For other children, intravenous (IV) sedation is a good fit, especially if they need a long or complicated procedure they’re anxious about. This technique uses an IV to disperse the medication and relaxes them through deep sedation. Our team monitors your child throughout and ensures they follow before- and after-care procedures.

If your child is afraid of the dentist, our team can help. Contact us to discuss your child’s needs and make an appointment.