Visiting the dentist can feel a bit overwhelming, especially for young children who may be concerned about experiencing discomfort during the appointment. It’s important for kids (and their parents) to be brave in these moments and take good care of their mouths. But being brave can be tough.
Here are a few tips to help make these appointments a little bit easier.
Calming Nerves: Simple Ways to Relax Before a Dental Visit:
- If your child is feeling nervous on the way to the appointment or in the waiting room, try playing a game of I-Spy or looking for everything that your child can see around them that’s their favorite color. For example, if their favorite color is green, you can ask them to name everything that they can see around them that’s green.
- If your child is feeling really scared, have them take some slow, deep breaths. Ask them to breathe in like they are smelling a fragrant flower. Go slow. Have them breathe out like they are blowing out birthday candles on a cake. Be sure to ask them to blow out all the candles as best they can. Encourage your child to take 5 or 6 of these slow, deep breaths. You can breathe slowly with them to support them and practice together.
- Have your child close their eyes and imagine they are in a beautiful place where they feel comfortable and happy. Ask them to tell you what they see in this place. What sounds can they hear? What does it smell like in their beautiful place? What’s the temperature like?
- When you’re sitting in the waiting room, help your child focus on how they feel in the chair. Ask them to notice where their body touches the chair. Do their shoulders, arms, back, legs, and head touch the chair? Is it hard or cushiony? Do their feet touch the floor or do they swing in the air? Ask your child to pay attention to how the chair feels on their body.
If you’re nervous, as the caregiver, you can do these 4 things too. These strategies aren’t just for kids. They’re great for calming people of all ages!
Helping Kids Feel Heard and Supported at the Dentist:
- One thing that can help kids and adults who are feeling unsure before an appointment is knowing that the people you’re meeting with will listen to you. When we feel heard, we feel supported and taken care of.
- Be sure to talk to your child before their appointment. Let them know they should tell the dentist if something hurts, is confusing, or doesn’t feel right. Or, if you are present for the appointment, your child can tell you and you can let the dentist know.
- Communicating with your child’s dentist and letting the dentist respond will help you and your child feel better in dental appointments.
For some kids and parents, braving the dentist’s chair isn’t easy — but taking steps towards a healthier smile is always worth it! Practicing relaxation strategies to calm unsettled feelings and speaking up so that dentists can listen and respond, helps kids face dentist visits courageously. No matter if it’s their first visit or their fifth, kids who know what they can do to handle dentist appointments with confidence, achieve strong, healthy smiles like the Smile Superheroes that they are!
Dr. Daniela Owen is a clinical psychologist, children’s book author, and co-host of The Parenting Puzzle podcast. She serves as the Assistant Director of the San Francisco Bay Area Center for Cognitive Therapy and is an Assistant Professor in the Clinical Sciences Program at the University of California, Berkeley. Dr. Owen specializes in helping children and parents build confidence and navigate their emotions using evidence-based strategies. Through her work, she empowers families to handle challenges, celebrate successes, and live more fulfilling lives.