Dental anxiety is a common challenge for children, one that can follow them into adulthood. At our pediatric dentistry office in South Plainfield, New Jersey, we work hard to make every visit a positive experience. Educating parents on the causes of dental anxiety can help us work together to ensure a child feels confident and comfortable in the dentist’s chair.

Understanding Dental Anxiety in Children

Dental anxiety can stem from many sources. It might be a reaction to a previous bad experience, for example. Perhaps the child is responding to anxiety that it sees in a parent or sibling. Maybe they just heard an exaggerated view of the things that could happen in the dentist’s chair.

How to Recognize Dental Anxiety

Parents and caregivers should look for behavioral clues that tell them a child is afraid of the dentist. For instance, crying, acting out, or physical resistance are all symptoms. For some, the signs may be more subtle, like:

• Clingyness
• Being extra quiet
• Withdrawal as the appointment time approaches

There may also be physical symptoms, such as nausea, a rash on the skin, vomiting, or headaches. You may notice bed wetting or insomnia around the time of the appointment.

What Parents Can Do About Dental Anxiety

The earlier your child sees a dentist for the first time, the better they will adjust. Choosing the right pediatric dentist is critical, too. Our pediatric dentists in South Plainfield, NJ, are trained to work with children of all ages. We provide a fun and welcoming environment for our young patients and take the time to build positive relationships that help them overcome dental anxiety.

We also offer sedation services to help make a child more comfortable in the chair. Our laser dentistry means faster and more comfortable procedures for better outcomes.

Call today and ask about touring our office with your child and meeting our dentists. They can see firsthand that there is nothing to fear.