A child is very afraid to have his teeth treated, what to do and how to teach him if he doesn’t want to: how to persuade children (under 10 years old) to go to the dentist - advice from children’s dentists, how to force them to go when kids are too young

In order for your teeth to be not only beautiful, but also healthy, you need to take care of them from early childhood. However, oral hygiene alone is not enough to prevent the development of various problems such as tooth decay or plaque. At least once every six months, the baby should be taken to the dental office for examination and preventive procedures. But how can this be done if he panics at the mention of doctors and clinics? In the article we tell you what to do, how to teach a child not to be afraid of the dentist and force him to treat his teeth, we share useful life hacks, how to ensure the right psychological mood.

Where does fear come from?

Dentophobia is the name given to the fear of treatment at the dentist. If it is present, a person seeks the help of a specialist only in extreme cases, when there is no longer any possibility of enduring the pain. Children also suffer from it. At a young age, fear is usually caused by already acquired negative experiences. At the same time, it is not the dentists themselves who may frighten the baby, but the “white coats” in general. If you do not overcome this phobia in childhood, it will spread into adulthood, and then it will be almost impossible to get rid of it.

If you don’t know how to force your child to go to the dentist, but he refuses to have his teeth treated, first of all you need to find out the reason for what is happening. Most often, fear occurs for the following reasons:

the baby sees a doctor for the first time or experiences severe pain;
there are character traits - suspiciousness, shyness, indecisiveness;
Previously, the baby had already been forcibly held in a dental chair for some procedures, a negative experience was ingrained in his head;
the parent could not explain why it is important to go to the dentist, why all these manipulations are needed.

Note that young children almost always react negatively to examination of the oral cavity. This seems something unnatural, and that is why it is perceived so hostile. The general goal of parents is to convince the baby that there is nothing wrong with what is happening. On the contrary, it will help him be healthy and beautiful.

In addition, it is important to combat the fear of “white coats.” The baby should not be afraid of doctors, because in any case he will have to contact them. Not necessarily for treatment - preventive examinations in kindergarten and school have not been canceled.

Caries, pulpitis and periodontitis of primary teeth in children

Milk teeth have thinner enamel and dentin layers than permanent teeth, they have a larger pulp chamber and, therefore, infection spreads faster to the pulp. They are more often susceptible to carious lesions - and not least because of night feeding or the habit of drinking drinks from a bottle at night (mostly sweet or sweetened - tea, juices).

In addition, caries is often provoked by plaque on baby teeth, which forms faster than in adults, and which not all parents are in a hurry to remove. Many people begin brushing their children’s teeth at a more or less conscious age, while a child should be taught hygiene and regularly remove plaque from the moment the first teeth erupt, that is, from about six months of age. Also, the cause of diseases of the dental system can be an insufficient amount of solid food in the baby’s diet, since chewing solid food helps to clean the dental surfaces themselves.

The child's nutritional habits, lack of hygiene, and too thin enamel layer provoke a phenomenon called circular caries of baby teeth - carious lesions spread over the entire tooth surface, as if encircling the crown.

Caries quickly turns into pulpitis - an inflammatory lesion of the dental pulp. Most often, a doctor is consulted precisely at this stage of the infectious process, ignoring the initial stages of damage to dental tissues. Pulpitis, in turn, provokes periodontitis of primary teeth in children - inflammation of the periodontal tissues near the tips of the tooth roots. This condition is usually accompanied by severe pain, severe swelling of the affected area, and often an increase in body temperature.

Basic mistakes

Fear is not born out of nowhere. Every phobia has a root cause. And, no matter how bitter it may be to realize this, it is often the parents who become the creators of fears. Remember, even an accidentally dropped word can make a tremendous impression on a child and influence his life.

Below we look at the most common mistakes that inexperienced mothers and fathers make:

Going to the dentist even if you have problems. Of course, in such a state (when the tooth aches and hurts), it will be extremely difficult for the baby to trust a stranger. That is why it is necessary to take him for routine examinations - for adaptation.
Lack of motivation to undergo treatment. From an early age it is important to develop positive health-saving attitudes. If developed in childhood, they will remain forever and will help a person adhere to the principles of a healthy lifestyle.
Use of violence. Never force your baby to do anything. A quality dialogue and search for compromises are always necessary.
Well, a convenient time to visit. All visits to the hospital should be arranged at a time that is convenient for the visitor.

Well, the main thing is deception. Do not lie about the absolute painlessness of the procedure if you know in advance that this is not so.

From the appearance of the first tooth until the first grade, an adult should brush the child’s teeth.

Dentists around the world today are unanimous: a child’s teeth should be brushed from the moment the first tooth appears with a brush and toothpaste containing fluoride. These can be special brushes for the little ones, as well as finger brushes, which are made of silicone and are put on an adult’s finger. “Such brushes gently massage the gums, making teething easier,” explains Victoria Korchagina. “You can also purchase special wipes online to care for the baby’s oral mucosa and clean teeth between meals.”

A parent or other adult should brush a child's teeth until school age. Until the age of 6–7 years, a child cannot do this himself carefully and efficiently, no matter how smart he is. Why?

Only by the first grade does the child’s brain structures responsible for fine motor skills mature (therefore, he is already able to master writing, which is akin to methodically brushing his teeth).
Young children have no idea of the value of their own health. Only parents have it, and most of them have it not in relation to themselves, but in relation to the child. Therefore, only the parent is truly important about the child’s daily hygiene. The child does not need it and is not interested.

Brushing teeth becomes interesting for a child when an adult comes up with important motivation and shows consistency and perseverance. If adults are inventive and methodical in their desire to raise a child healthy, then by the age of 7 daily hygiene becomes a habit for the child: he automatically repeats the learned actions, imitating the parent.

For responsible adults, dentists recommend that they monitor their teeth brushing until they begin adolescence (10–12 years of age). But if a habit has been formed since early childhood, maintaining it at school age will no longer require much effort.

The article was written by our head. doctor V.V. Korchagina for the portal RastimDetei.rf

First visit

Above we have already partially touched on the importance of initial experience, now let’s talk about it in more detail. The child’s subsequent attitude towards the dentist and dental treatment in general depends on how the session goes.

What is important? No coercion. Don't try to force yourself to love the dental office. Usually such actions only cause negative reactions.

The most effective way is to lead by example. When you yourself are not afraid of dentistry and understand the importance of all the procedures performed, the baby will absorb your mood and will not worry.

In addition, so that the child is not afraid, it is good to go to the pediatric dentist. Those dentists who work with adults often lack the tact and sensitivity required at a young age.

Introductory visit

For convenience, we attach a detailed scenario of how the first visit should go:

Acquaintance. The doctor cannot immediately begin with treatment or perform any complex manipulations. His task is to win over the patient.
Gloves. Wearing them is not recommended, as is using intimidating tools and devices. The best option is to organize a short tour of the office with a story about what is needed and why.
Dialogue. All actions must be accompanied by explanations. The unknown scares the baby.
Leisure. In some clinics, cartoons are played or toys are provided for young patients. This is a good solution to shift your focus.

Please note that we are talking about a routine preventive examination.

Appearance

What do teeth that have undergone restoration look like? Look at the photos below. If everything is done correctly, the new teeth will not differ from your own teeth located next door.

Photos before and after

The psychological aspect in the matter of dental restoration is of considerable importance. If a child feels the mocking attitude of peers, this can lead to disturbances in the formation of personality, character, and a decrease in the level of self-esteem. With such a burden it will not be easy for him to start his adult life. Consider this if you are simply going to remove a decayed front tooth. Maybe it’s still worth fighting for it?

What to do when a child is very afraid and does not want to have his teeth treated: how to persuade him to go to the dentist

Some modern techniques, developed jointly with psychologists, involve exciting adventures, while others involve a preliminary study of possible problems. Below we talk about the most successful and popular practices that can be easily adapted to Russian reality.

Playing doctor

This is a unique tool for understanding the world around us, especially in childhood. Even the most unremarkable and disgusting things seem more attractive and interesting if they are presented in a positive playful way. Turning a standard trip to the dentist into a real adventure is an art. However, if you don’t want your baby to develop dental phobia, this is exactly what you should do.

Below are the most successful entertainment scenarios:

Offer to treat your favorite toy's teeth. The child will be so interested in the process that he will want to check the condition of his own.
Role-playing game. Something from the “mother-daughter” category, only “doctor-patient”. First, the parent will act as a dentist - just to explain and tell how everything works. And then the baby will try on this image. Such tricks help dispel fears before visiting the office.
A fairy tale about the good doctor Aibolit. Before your visit, you can watch the old cartoon.

Of course, this is not a complete list of all games. You are free to invent and propose your own. The main thing is to create a comfortable psychological environment.

Reward and encouragement

Just as bad behavior in a dental clinic should be discouraged, good behavior should be rewarded. It is best to give the gift to the doctor so that he, in turn, gives it to the baby. Such a simple manipulation will win the favor of the little patient.

However, gifts should not become a management tool. During each visit, the child is introduced to the culture of health care and is more responsible about the state of the oral cavity.

Cartoons during treatment

Watching your favorite cartoon during a visit will help you take your mind off what the doctor is doing and concentrate on something more pleasant. This technique is actively practiced by dentists at Dentic Kids.

Own example

Of course, cartoons, games, gifts are all very good. But remember, nothing works better than a worthy personal example. If you yourself literally faint at the mere mention of the need to see a dentist, it is unlikely that you will be able to develop a love for this specialist in your children. That is why, before raising them, it is important to work through your own fears and phobias.

If, on the contrary, you understand the importance of dental treatment and endure any procedures, then it would be a good idea to go to the session with your baby. There he will see your positive attitude and will quickly be charged with the right mood.

What to do if your tooth already hurts

It’s easy to talk about preventive procedures and routine examinations. The child is not in any danger, he does not experience acute pain, and he can resist going to the dentist’s office only for some personal reasons. In such situations, you have enough time and resources to change his mind, dispel his fears, and help him get into the right frame of mind. But what to do when the tooth is already aching? Pain and discomfort are not exactly what instills a love for dentistry.

My child is afraid to have his teeth drilled, how can I take him to the dentist? If there is no time for persuasion, try to talk to him like an adult. Explain everything that is happening, tell him why he is experiencing discomfort, and then offer a solution. Imagine the dentist in some kind of fairy-tale light, give him the role of a wizard who will make it so that it no longer hurts.

There is no point in deceiving your child that everything will go smoothly and painlessly. Having encountered a lie once, he may gradually begin to treat your words with greater caution, and in some cases, lose trust.

Thus, the key to solving the problem is confidential negotiations and discussions without secrets or embellishment.

Restoration of baby teeth

If a child’s baby tooth breaks off or if the dental crown is severely damaged by caries, restoration is carried out. However, if for adult patients one of the most important aspects during restoration is aesthetics, then for children functionality is much more important. Therefore, restorative filling materials are always selected taking into account the patient’s age - for children, durability and impeccable aesthetics are not so important, a good marginal fit of the fillings and the preservation of dental tissues are much more important. Filling materials that are too strong can put pressure on dental tissues and contribute to their destruction, and therefore dentists choose materials that will recreate and maintain the integrity of the dental crown until the moment of natural tooth loss.

How not to be afraid of the dentist for children 10 years old and older

While it is still possible to agree on something with a child, it is much more difficult to do this with a teenager. Age plays a huge role - it is difficult and critical; it makes you distrustful of adults and often enter into conflicts with them. Your main task as a parent is to establish a warm relationship with your own child. It is necessary to explain: his choice is respected and taken into account. Next, by creating a favorable psychological environment, you can position your child to visit the dentist’s office.

However, everything is not so simple here either. Sometimes fear is caused by unpleasant experiences in early childhood. You can hardly get by with just one conversation. How then? Let's look at some tips from dentists on what to do if a child is terrified of going to the dentist:

Talk through all the procedures to be done. Often the unknown is much more frightening. A detailed discussion of all manipulations helps to dispel some of the fears.
If your teen refuses a visit and the situation is not an emergency, do not insist on treatment. Perhaps he just needs a little time to collect his thoughts and make up his mind.
Form positive self-preservation attitudes and motivation for regular and timely dental examinations. Try to instill a love for beautiful snow-white teeth, an even smile, and fresh breath. When all this is valuable to the child, he will want to take care of his oral health.
Don't refuse support. By law, the parent has the right to be in the office during the procedure. Don't neglect it. In your society, the teenager will feel protected, and, therefore, everything will go more smoothly.

Well, and, of course, one cannot fail to mention the role of a specialist. He must have quite a wealth of practical experience in order to be able to win over a young patient and gain his trust.

Classic method of caries treatment

If caries has already developed, then it will have to be treated using the standard method, using drilling of the carious cavity and filling it. And the parent’s task is to prepare the child for this procedure , to form a positive attitude towards the doctor. Today, in order to arouse children's interest in treatment, children's doctors install colored fillings, which the child can choose according to his own taste. This is quite a strong motivation for a child, who can then show off his beautiful teeth to his friends. Treatment with a drill provides pain relief for small patients.

Moreover, before the injection, the doctor numbs the injection site with a special gel. The treatment procedure should not exceed 30 minutes, otherwise the child will get tired. Frequent breaks in the treatment procedure are required.

If the baby behaves very restlessly, then doctors recommend giving him a tablet of children's Tenoten for resorption 20 minutes before the appointment. The medicine significantly reduces anxiety , improves mood and removes fear.

In modern dental centers, parents can be offered a sedation procedure for children who are not amenable to treatment, categorically refusing it. Using a mask with nitrous oxide, the child is put into a shallow sleep , after which anesthesia and then treatment are carried out.

As a last resort, anesthesia is used, but only according to the pediatrician's indications. In order not to lead children to deep caries, you need to know preventive measures against it.

Tips on how to persuade your child to go to the dentist and have their teeth treated

In conclusion, we will briefly summarize all of the above and formulate the main recommendations for parents:

If possible, plan to visit the dentist in the morning. If the visit is scheduled for a later time, the baby may “wind up” himself, become capricious, become nervous and whiny.
Do not escalate the situation before going to the dentist. Even if there are some minor problems and troubles, try to ignore them in order to minimize psychological discomfort. If the child is upset, this will only worsen his condition at the time of the procedure.
Discuss what procedures will be performed in the dental office. And then try to switch the baby’s attention to some abstract topics. This will allow you to wait for your appointment without panic and unnecessary nerves.
Take a responsible approach to choosing a clinic and specialist. It is best if this is a person who works directly with children.
Do not be nervous. Yes, we should not forget that a lot also depends on the psychological state of the parent. If you are tense and tense, the child will feel it and quickly move into the same phase.
At the end of the procedure, be sure to praise the baby and encourage him in some way. This will provide a good foundation for the future. If positive memories remain in your memory, it will be easier to decide on your next visit to a specialist. If the baby is overwhelmed with emotions, let him speak out and tell him everything.
Visit the dental office regularly. It is recommended to do this at least twice a year. Why such frequency? Firstly, it allows you to promptly identify and eliminate existing problems. And, secondly, it helps the baby adapt and get used to it.
Do not discuss treatment of your own teeth in front of your child. Especially if your experience was negative.
Do not intimidate a young patient with a doctor. A visit to the dentist doesn't have to be a daunting experience.

Summarizing all of the above, we can conclude that the psychological attitude is of enormous importance. Parents often use doctors (including dentists) as a tool of intimidation - “If you don’t listen, I’ll take you to the doctor!” This is a fundamentally wrong position, entailing a lot of different problems and difficulties. To prevent your baby from panicking at the sight of a white coat, you need to talk through and work through all possible situations with him. As a parent, you must explain why dental care is important and the consequences of not getting proper treatment. But this should be done softly and delicately; under no circumstances should you press. We hope that our article on how to prevent your child from being afraid of the dentist helped you find answers to all your questions and was useful!

What is milk bite?

These are 20 teeth that erupt in a child from approximately 6 months to 2–2.5 years. Normally, they should form a correct bite, in which the upper teeth overlap the lower teeth by 1/3. Due to the small size of baby teeth, there are often gaps between them - this is not considered a pathology.

Contrary to popular belief, baby teeth have roots, but they dissolve by the time they fall out. And their enamel is thin and delicate, so children are more susceptible to caries. Therefore, you need to be careful about the health of children's teeth.

5 reasons why all baby teeth should be preserved until they fall out naturally:

Correct jaw development

The main reason why baby teeth should not be removed prematurely is that the roots of baby teeth support the jawbone and promote its proper development. If part of the teeth is missing, the neighboring roots seem to shift, and the dentition becomes narrower. Jaw development occurs asymmetrically. In the future, when permanent teeth erupt - and they are usually much larger than baby teeth - they may not have enough space. Crowding and malocclusion will occur.

Early loss of baby teeth is one of the main risk factors for malocclusion.

Thus, simple timely treatment of baby teeth will help reduce the risks of malocclusion, which in the future will require a much longer, more complex correction. Of course, this is not the only factor - heredity also plays a role.

Chewing process

Children aged 2–3 years eat almost all foods. If some teeth are already missing at an early age, chewing meat, fruits and other hard foods can cause problems. The child will swallow food unchewed or chew only on one side of the jaw. This can have a bad effect on the condition of both the teeth and the gastrointestinal tract.

If baby teeth are removed prematurely, it will be more difficult for your child to chew.

Formation of pronunciation of sounds

Large gaps in the row of teeth or asymmetry can cause the tongue to be positioned incorrectly when pronouncing sounds. Then the hissing sounds will begin to “whistle”. Even with sessions with a speech therapist, the violation will not be so easy to correct, since the cause is the condition of the teeth.

No pain - no fear

At the early stage of caries, the tooth does not hurt yet, and the filling is installed quickly. Therefore, this is the optimal time to carry out treatment. Thanks to modern anesthesia, the child will not experience pain and will not associate dentistry with any kind of punishment. On the contrary, an experienced pediatrician will help make the appointment interesting, so that the child will have a positive impression.

A scheduled visit to the doctor before pain appears is not scary

Habit of hygiene

The easier the child’s first appointments with the dentist are, the more positively he will perceive dental care itself, and the easier it will be to get used to proper hygiene. It is better to form healthy habits from early childhood. Then in the future it will be much easier to maintain the health of permanent teeth.

The dentist now has all the means to treat children’s teeth: these are drills that drill quickly and with minimal discomfort (thanks to the cooling system), and different types of anesthesia, including application (spray or gel), with which you can prepare a place for administration of an anesthetic in the form of an injection. Filling materials restore the tooth and allow it to last until the moment of natural loss, when the permanent eruption is expected soon. In addition, in some cases, at the initial stage, you can do without a drill - small areas of caries can be healed without drilling. All this makes treatment for children simple and comfortable. And regular attention to the condition of your teeth from childhood will help maintain their health in the future.