A pediatric dentist for anxiety can help your child to get past their fear of going to the dentist. Dental phobias are quite common, but they are one of those things you want to nip in the bud before it turns into a lifelong issue.
Going to a dentist can be an intimidating experience for a child. The clinic is filled with strangers who want to stare at them and poke their mouths with strange objects. Dental anxiety affects many adults as well, and it often leads to poor dental health. Children who are scared of the dentist will likely be coerced to go for appointments by their parents, but adults with dental phobias can simply stop going to the dentist unless some dental issue that causes them severe pain forces them to schedule a dental visit.
Here are some ways a pediatric dentist for anxiety can help your child to get past their dental phobias:
Parents can be very influential on how their children view things so dentists teach them ways to make their child feel more comfortable about going to the dentist. Educating the child about why they have to go to a dentist in the first place can help to ease their fears. Parents can familiarize the child with the clinic by showing them pictures of the clinic or taking them for a visit that does not involve getting any treatments. Giving children treats after dental appointments can also help to make the experience a positive one.
A pediatric dentist spends most of their time working with children so their clinics are often tailored for their patients. Waiting rooms are typically loaded with all sorts of toys and games, while popular kid’s shows are continuously played on TV screens. It turns the visit into a fun affair and lowers their anxiety.
Pediatric dentists also work with tools and equipment that are designed specifically for children. They are made to look less frightening and to be quieter, so the child does not get freaked out by the dentist bringing some scary-looking, loud device close to their face.
Dental sedatives can also help to keep a child with dental anxiety relaxed during their treatment. The severity of the child’s anxiety often determines what type of sedatives are recommended. Sometimes, sedatives are used on children who do not have dental phobias to keep them relaxed during long treatments that require the child to be still for hours.
Examples of popular sedatives that are safe to use on children include nitrous oxide. Better known as laughing gas, this fast-acting gas makes the child feel relaxed and happy during their treatment, and it wears off within minutes once the dentist stops delivering it to the child’s nose with a face mask.
The right pediatric dentist will show your child that dental appointments are nothing to be scared of. Give us a call or visit our Alexandria clinic to set up an appointment.
Request an appointment here: https://alexoldtowndental.com or call Alexandria Old Town Dental at (703) 763-1078 for an appointment in our Alexandria office.
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