More than a visit, it must be a game. Going to the dentist can sometimes cause anxiety in children. But it is enough to put in place some strategies to eliminate fears.
Why are you afraid of the dentist?
For children the oral cavity is a special part of the body: it is from the mouth that nourishment passes, it is with the mouth that you begin to explore the world and to live the first sensory experiences during the so-called oral phase. The child therefore experiences the oral cavity as a means to communicate with the outside world. A dental visit can therefore be seen as an invasion of one’s own space and the fear of going to the dentist can be linked not only to the fear of feeling pain, but also to the feeling of losing control and being “in the hands” of the dentist. For this reason, even the position on the armchair may not be welcome.
Some simple strategies
The first visit to the dentist should be carried out even before problems arise with the teeth that cause pain, so that the child does not associate the figure of the dentist with a negative feeling.
It is better to make an appointment with the specialist on a day when the child has no other commitments, without nagging him by recommending him to “be good” and not to cry.
In subsequent sessions, if the child has to undergo dental treatment, it is good to describe to the child what will happen once at the dentist, using terms familiar to him: for example, the drill can become a “helicopter”, while the anesthetic of the “magic drops”.
It is also of great importance to try not to transmit to the child any anxieties. It is therefore better that it is the parent who faces visits to the dentist with more serenity, but if the child appears frightened, it is good not to ignore his fears, because indifference will make him feel even more uncertain and misunderstood.
Recent studies have also confirmed that listening to music helps reduce dental anxiety. If your child has any favorite songs, you can play them before or during the session, promoting relaxation.
In several dental offices there are games and areas dedicated to children to entertain and entertain them before the visit. With all these precautions, going to the dentist will no longer be a negative experience and will be experienced as a tension-free experience.
Joycelyn Elders is the author and creator of EmpowerEssence, a health and wellness blog. Elders is a respected public health advocate and pediatrician dedicated to promoting general health and well-being.
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