Whether you are reading this article as a new parent looking to prevent your child from suffering from dental anxiety, or you are the caretaker of a child already affected by a severe fear of dentists and dental things related. We are here to help you.
One of the pillars on which we based the creation of our South Davis office in Bountiful, Utah, is that no child should be prevented from receiving dental care due to fear or anxiety.
What Is the Right Way to Introduce Your Child to The Dentist?
Like most things, fear of the dentist is more straightforward to prevent than correct. We have gathered a list of tips for introducing your child to his new friend: The Dentist.
- The sooner, the better: Some dentists recommend bringing your child to his first dental appointment as early as their 1st year of life. Remember that the sooner they get familiarized with their dentist and all the stimuli in the dental office (smells, colors, sounds, etc.), the more comfortable they will feel in their future visits.
- Create a daily routine: One of the most significant gifts you can give your child is health. Taking care of their smile is part of basic hygiene, so teach them how to brush and floss properly and make a habit of it.
- Communicate: Use easy and simple language. Avoid using terms that could scare your child, like “might hurt a little” or “pain.” Anxiety is often produced by creating the worst outcome/scenario in our minds. Help your kid keep a positive mindset.
- Choose the right dentist: Not all dentists are the same. We recommend bringing your child to a pediatric dentist who specializes in treating kids. In some cases, dental sedation is the best treatment for kids who need dental procedures. Our experience in sedation and the equipment of our South Davis office have been crafted to make your kid’s appointment the most soothing experience for both your child and you.
- Make it fun: Play with them. Just as you play doctors, you can play going to the dentist. Create a song. Put on music to dance or tell your kids a story about dental care while brushing and flossing their teeth. No one is scared of what they enjoy.
- Be a role model: Nothing teaches your kids better than the example you set. Make sure they hear you asking to brush their teeth and see you doing it. You can make dental health family time. Extra points if you bring your child to your dentist’s checkups.
If you haven’t started with these tips, don’t worry! It is always possible to do so. Don’t beat yourself up; parenthood does not come with a guidebook. Commend yourself for reading this and taking the steps needed to give your child’s smile the brightest future from today on.
Does your Child Suffer from Anxiety?
It might be specific to the dental visits, or your child might be a wonderful little human full of sensibility; in any case, you will benefit from giving your offspring tools to handle stressful and highly sensory moments.
Let’s go over some simple techniques.
Meditation
You would be amazed at how easy it is for kids to connect to their higher version through meditation.
You can sit with them for 5 minutes daily and make it a habit for the whole family. The benefits of a peaceful mind and spirit will be ripe fruit for parents and kids.
Remember that meditation is not just sitting silently and turning off your thoughts, but learning not to follow them.
You can also listen to some meditation music (easy to find on YouTube or Spotify for free) or choose a short mantra to chant with them during the meditation.
Feel free to try different techniques until you find what works better for your family.
Breathwork
The term “breathwork” sounds intense, but it doesn’t have to be. At all!
Breath work can be as simple as taking a moment to breathe correctly, which can help calm people during high-stress situations AND fill their bodies with the oxygen their cells need.
One of the most straightforward techniques you can try with your child (and yourself) is to deeply inhale the air through the nose, gently bringing the air to the belly -you will know if you are doing it correctly if your lower ribs expand instead of your belly-and slowly exhale through the nose. Repeat this process for as long as possible, trying to keep the exhaling time longer than the inhaling time.
Breathing correctly can prevent oral problems such as cavities or gum disease. Learning to breathe can also reduce teeth grinding or jaw clenching, usually due to stress.
Grounding
Taking time out can be so underrated, but it is an easy solution. There are different ways to ground yourself, but you need to find the best way to bring yourself back into the body after being up in the clouds of the mind.
You can practice grounding by removing your shoes and walking or standing in the grass or dirt in your garden; kids usually love this.
Another way to get back into the body is to MOVE, put on your kid’s favorite song, and go wild from start to finish. Have a break to play tag or challenge them to a short race. When you get your child to focus on their senses, they will be less likely in their mind (where all the fears are born).
Studies also show that people who exercise for 30 minutes three to five times a week are less likely to suffer from anxiety and depression. Exercise gives you endorphins, and this hormone boosts your mood and sense of happiness.
A sleeping schedule
If you think everything is wrong, take a nap!
Humans function much longer without sleep. There are more possibilities for a child to be cranky, anxious, or fully go into tantrum mode if they are not fully rested.
Creating an adequate sleeping schedule and following through with bedtime is essential for your kid’s growth, brain development, as well as their mental & emotional health.
The smaller your child, the more sleep he’ll need.
Don’t Let Anxiety Win
Even if it’s hard initially, make the biannual appointments to clean and check your child’s smile.
There is no challenge that will be too much for your child if you guide them loving and patiently. And remember, you are not alone! Just contact us and allow us to help you on this journey of keeping your family’s smiles shining.
Recent Comments