It’s not uncommon for children to be afraid of going to the dentist. Many adults feel the same way, but for kids, the fear often comes from the unknown—new environments, unfamiliar equipment, and anxious thoughts about what might happen. If your child is one of those who feels nervous about dental visits, here are some ways to help ease their fears:
Use visual aids:
For some children, watching a video or reading a book about the dentist can help them become more familiar and comfortable with the experience. Resources can be found at your local library or online, and bookstores offer books and DVDs for purchase. These visual aids help children understand what to expect during their visit and what role they play in the process.
Visit the office:
Before the appointment, take your child to the dentist’s office so they can meet the staff, observe the environment, and get a feel for the tools and equipment used during checkups. Many dental offices will take the time to explain the tools to your child and help them feel more comfortable. Dentists are experienced at helping children adjust, so the staff will be supportive in making your child feel confident.
Explain the importance:
While fear may overpower logic, explaining the importance of seeing the dentist can help your child understand the necessity of regular checkups. Talk to them about the benefits of good oral health and what might happen if they don’t take care of their teeth. Helping them understand the positive impact of regular visits can reduce anxiety and encourage cooperation.
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It is crucial for parents to understand the importance of preventive dental care and not wait until an oral health problem arises to start treatment for their children. To ensure children have the best chance for healthy teeth and gums throughout life, preventive dentistry plays a key role.
Start early:
Good oral care should begin from infancy. Even before teeth emerge, milk sugars can attack the gums. To prevent damage, gently rub your baby’s gums with a damp, soft cloth. When your child reaches age one, schedule their first dentist appointment. This early visit will involve checking for any issues, educating you on proper home care, and helping your child become familiar with the dental environment.
Partner with your dentist:
As your child grows, you and your dentist can work together to teach good dental habits. Dentists can show parents the correct techniques for brushing and flossing, while parents ensure that these habits are consistently practiced at home. Depending on your child’s development, you and your dentist may decide to use dental sealants to protect teeth from cavities and decay.
Provide a nutritious diet:
Another essential aspect of good oral health involves providing your child with nutritious foods. Your dentist can advise you on the best foods for maintaining healthy teeth and gums, as well as which foods and drinks to avoid. Certain items are known to contribute to tooth decay, gum disease, and staining. Teaching your child to make healthy dietary choices will help support their oral health.
Preventive care benefits:
By practicing preventive dentistry both at home and with regular visits to the dentist, your child will feel more confident about their oral care and become accustomed to dental visits. Preventive measures will help avoid serious issues, and if more extensive treatment is needed, your child will likely feel more at ease with the dentist, making the experience less stressful.
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Teaching your kids good dental habits and ensuring they get regular dental care are essential steps for their overall health. The guidelines for improving your child’s oral health vary with age, and here are some tips for different stages of childhood:
Infants (up to 2 years):
It’s never too early to start oral care! Clean your baby’s gums with a damp cloth after feedings to remove bacteria. Once the first tooth appears, use a soft toothbrush designed for babies and a small amount of toothpaste to gently brush teeth and gums. Brush at least twice a day. Schedule your baby’s first dental checkup around their first birthday to begin building a positive association with dental care.
Preschoolers (2-4 years):
This age group often experiences the highest rates of tooth decay, especially since many preschoolers enjoy sugary foods but may resist brushing. Brush your child’s teeth yourself until they can do it effectively, but always supervise to ensure all areas are cleaned. To encourage brushing, try flavored or character-themed fluoride toothpastes. It’s also important to limit sugary snacks and drinks to reduce the risk of cavities.
Young Elementary (5-7 years):
As more teeth emerge, your child needs to brush carefully with fluoride toothpaste. Make sure they clean all areas of their mouth thoroughly, and begin using dental floss to clean between teeth. Continue guiding your child to make healthy dietary choices, and keep them away from excessive sugary foods that can contribute to tooth decay.
Older Kids (over 8 years):
By age 8, most children can brush independently, but it’s a good idea to perform spot checks to ensure they are brushing effectively. Teach your child to brush after meals, especially after eating sugary or sticky foods, and reinforce the importance of daily flossing. Regular dental checkups every six months will help maintain good oral health and establish a habit of lifelong care.
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Kids don’t always play it safe or make the best decisions when it comes to protecting their teeth. Tooth decay and mouth injuries are just a couple of things parents must worry about for their kids, whether it’s the elementary school or college years. Here are some simple ways that parents can teach their kids to protect their teeth.
Limit sports and energy drinks.
Sports and energy drinks are both heavily marketed toward today’s youth. It is true that sports drinks help replace electrolytes during exercise, but many people drink them too much or outside the exercise realm. Experts have deemed sports drinks to be unnecessary in the lunchroom or as a snack on the playground. The high acid levels in these drinks can erode tooth enamel, with energy drinks determined to cause twice as much damage. It is recommended to save sports drinks for very strenuous activities, and instead stick with water for hydration and refreshment without the negative effects.
Insist upon mouthguards.
Parents should provide mouthguards for kids in nearly any sport, even if it isn’t considered mandatory by the school or team. Mouthguards can prevent chips, fractures, or knockouts of teeth, as well as protect the soft tissues of the mouth. According to research estimates, 3 million teeth were knocked out in youth sports in 2011. Dentists suggest that athletes who don’t wear mouthguards are 60 times more likely to sustain oral injury. Inexpensive basic mouthguards or the boil-and-bite variety are available at sporting goods stores, or customized mouthguards can be purchased through your dentist.
Say no to oral piercings.
Although it applies primarily to teenagers and older, the Academy of General Dentistry advises against oral piercing for active people. Those with piercings should remove them before participating in sports, because puncture wounds can lead to infections related to increased blood flow and breathing rates during exercise. If your child is considering and oral piercing, make sure you discuss the risks and need for removal during physical activity.
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Kids will be kids, and emergencies happen that can affect the mouth. To avoid long-term damage, extensive pain, or unsightly results, it’s important to know what to do in a dental emergency. Let’s learn what you should do when your child has one of the following common oral problems.
Severe toothache:
Look for food stuck between the teeth, and if so try to dislodge it with floss. Clean the affected tooth and rinse the mouth well with warm water. Swollen gums may indicate an infection, which requires a dental visit. Facial swelling can be relieved with cold compresses, but if it accompanies severe pain you should take your child to the dentist or emergency room. Try giving over-the-counter pain reliever, but don’t place the medication directly on the gum or tooth.
Chipped tooth:
If your child chips a tooth, contact your dentist immediately. Fast action can help save the tooth, reduce the risk of infection, and prevent extensive procedures. Have your child rinse with cold water. If you can find the tooth fragment, take it to the dentist in case it can be bonded back in place.
Knocked out tooth:
The first thing to do is locate the missing tooth. Hold it by the crown instead of the root, and rinse it gently. Try replacing the tooth back in the socket, and have your child bite a piece of gauze or cloth to hold it in place until you get to the dentist. If you can’t insert it, place it in a cup of cold milk to take with you. Time is important in saving a displaced tooth, so see your child’s dentist immediately.
Cut lip, tongue, or cheek:
Ensure your child’s teeth are undamaged, and apply firm pressure with a moist washcloth or teabag to the bleeding area. If it doesn’t stop in fifteen minutes, call your child’s dentist or head to the emergency room. If the tongue is bleeding, there’s not much you can do except wait to see if it stops bleeding on its own within fifteen minutes. If not, visit the dentist or emergency room.
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It is vital for parents to understand not to wait until an oral health problem arises to begin dental treatment for their kids. Parents should be aware that in order for children to have the best chance for healthy teeth and gums throughout life, preventive dentistry is one of the keys.
Good oral care should begin when your child is an infant. As soon as babies start drinking milk, sugars can attack the gums even though there aren’t any teeth yet. To avoid damage, clean your child’s gums by gently rubbing them with a damp soft cloth. Around age one, schedule your child’s first appointment with the dentist. The examination will include looking for any issues, teaching home care, and allowing your child to become accustomed to a dentist setting.
As you child grows, dentists and parents can partner together to teach preventive dentistry habits to children. Dentists can show parents the ideal ways to guide children in proper brushing and flossing, and parents can ensure that the methods are carried out consistently at home. You and your dentist may decide together as your child grows whether to opt for dental sealants to help protect your child’s teeth from potential decay and cavities.
Another aspect of good oral health that parents should be involved in is providing nutritious foods for their children. Your dentist can educate your family on the best foods for your teeth and gums, as well as the foods and drinks to avoid. Some items are known to contribute to tooth decay, gum disease, and staining. Teaching your child to make healthy diet choices will promote a healthy mouth.
Preventative dentistry both at home and in your dentist’s office will make your child feel confident about oral care and become comfortable with the dentist. If the time comes for more extensive services, your child will likely trust the dentist and have less apprehension about the dental visit. Good preventive care, however, helps avoid problems and your child will be less likely to encounter major problems requiring painful procedures and lots of time in the dental chair.
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