Dental anxiety is extremely common among children. In many cases, it happens because of a frightening experience at a previous visit. For some kids, the sight of dental instruments or the strange sounds and smells can be upsetting. For others, it’s simply a fear of the unknown.
When a child is extremely distressed by the idea of going to the dentist, their parents might put off the next appointment. However, routine dental visits are essential for keeping kids’ teeth healthy.
Kids are more vulnerable to cavities than adults, because the enamel on their teeth is thinner. And when you combine that with all the processed snacks and sugary drinks kids love, tooth decay becomes a real problem. In fact, half of kindergarten-aged kids in Arizona already have a history of tooth decay.
If your child struggles with a fear of the dentist, don’t put off their next visit. Here are a few tips to help their dental checkups go more smoothly.
How to Help Your Kids Overcome Dental Anxiety
1. Early Exposure
Make sure your toddler is familiar with the concept of “going to the dentist” well before their first visit. You can use storybooks, pretend play, or educational videos to teach them what to expect and to paint the experience in a positive light. It’s good to talk about going to the dentist between appointments as well, because a year is a long time for little kids and they might not remember what happened at their last appointment.
2. Avoid Surprise Visits
A surprise dental visit can feel like a punishment for kids with anxiety about going to the dentist. If your child has an upcoming appointment, let them know at least a few days beforehand so they have enough time to mentally prepare. Help your child feel ready for the dentist by watching children’s TV show episodes about dental visits, using positive language when reminding them of the upcoming visit, and staying happy and calm the day of.
3. Never Use the Dentist as a Threat
If you use going to the dentist as a threat to get your kids to brush their teeth, it will only make them hate the dentist more. Teach your kids about cavities and the importance of brushing and flossing, but don’t use the idea of drills and needles as a scare tactic. If your child does end up needing cavity treatment, that fear will only make the experience worse.
4. Bring Comfort Items
Let your child bring a blanket or their favorite stuffed animal to help them feel safer and more comfortable during their appointment. You can also bring a tablet to distract them with videos, or noise-canceling headphones to block out any distressing sounds.
5. Use Positive Reinforcement
Talking about your own experiences in an honest and positive way can help show your child that going to the dentist is nothing to fear. It can also help if you bring them along to your own dental appointments so they can learn what to expect and see that you’re not afraid. You might also want to pair going to the dentist with a fun activity afterward (like going to the bookstore or a splash park) so they have something to look forward to instead of something to worry about.
Pediatric Dentistry for Kids in Flagstaff
Putting off dental checkups and cleanings lets decay go unnoticed and only leads to more invasive treatments later on. If your child is scared of the dentist, let us know so we can help! Our pediatric dental team strives to make every visit as comfortable and stress-free as possible. Contact Country Club Dental today to schedule an appointment.
Photo by Vitaly Gariev on Pexels used with permission under the Creative Commons license for commercial use 6/25/2026.
Dr. Paul Whitney opened his dental practice in April 1987 in Flagstaff, Arizona, and has resided there for over 26 years. Having received his B.S. in Zoology from the University of Massachusetts in 1979 and his D.D.S. from Georgetown University in Washington, DC, in 1983, Paul has years of education and experience in a variety of fields.
