Fear Of Dental Treatment In Children
The fear of dentist and dental treatment, which manifests itself in childhood, can appear as a phobia in adulthood unless it is overcome. This fear can even lead to psychological disorders in individuals.
For this reason, people may experience reactions such as sweating, heart palpitations and nausea at every dentist appointment.
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First of all, dental treatment is not a fear to be ashamed of.
After accepting this issue, individuals need to distinguish whether they have a fear or phobia of treatment in children.
Fear and phobia are separate from each other, fear can be overcome with the right approaches, but support may be needed for phobia.
Among the factors that cause fear of dental treatment;
Misguidance and discourses of families, false sensations that children are exposed to in their social lives or from their families, from the films they watch, dental treatment applications that may be incorrect and incomplete come first.
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The duration of treatment varies according to the number of procedures to be performed. After the procedure, the children are rested with their parents in the rest room for 1-2 hours and then sent home.
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So What Can Be Done For ChildrenTo Overcome The Fear Of Dental Treatment?
Individuals should not make negative, frightening conversations about dental treatments in the presence of children. This may cause fear of dental treatment in children. Choosing a dentist and early acquaintance is very important. If necessary, introduce your child to your dentist early. Starting treatment at an early age can both prevent possible dental problems and help your child develop a sense of trust in your dentist.
Explain the importance of this visit in a simple way, especially when going for the first treatment, and take care not to use negative words.
The phrase “if you misbehave, I will take you to the doctor”, which has been passed around for years, may already cause fear in children. As long as this situation is repeated, children may develop a phobia against doctors. The task of individuals here is to avoid such fear-inducing sentences and to give information about how important dental treatment is.
What Alternatives Are Available For Children Who Cannot Be Persuaded to Treatment?
It is not always possible to perform dental treatments for children who have a fear of dentists or cannot communicate.In such cases, all decayed teeth can be treated at once under Sedation or General Anaesthesia without stressing the child and the family.
How is General Anaesthesia Applied?
The child who is planned to have general anaesthesia is examined by a general anaesthesiologist the day before and it is checked whether there is any problem in receiving anaesthesia. The next day, the patient arrives at the hospital 6-8 hours hungry and is admitted.
One hour before the general anaesthesia appointment time, the child is given a sedative mixed with fruit juice to relax the child. The patient, who becomes slightly sleepy with the effect of the drug, is taken to the operating theatre. In this way, he/she does not feel separated from his/her parents.
The pedodontist performs the treatment of all teeth and protective applications under general anaesthesia within 1-2 hours on average. Dental treatment under general anaesthesia can be performed at any age starting from 1 year of age when the first teeth appear.
To Whom Can General Anaesthesia Be Applied?
- Children with physical disabilities
- Children with intellectual disabilities
- Children who need restorative or surgical treatment but cannot be anaesthetised locally due to acute infection, anatomical variations or allergies
- Children who need urgent treatment but cannot be contacted
- Young children with common caries, called bottle caries or early childhood caries
- Children (with systemic diseases such as some heart diseases) for whom medical risks are reduced if general anaesthesia is used
- General anesthesia may be applied to children whose treatment must be completed in a single session for any reason (remote location, allergic risk, etc.).
Dental Treatment with Sedation and General Anesthesia
For some children, sedation or general anesthesia may be required, especially if the child has high dental anxiety or cannot be convinced to undergo treatment. These methods help make the treatment process stress-free for the child and also allow the family to relax. Children who undergo general anesthesia do not feel any pain or fear during the treatment. General anesthesia can be applied to children starting from the age of 1, when the first teeth emerge, and can be used at any age.
Methods Applied to Children to Reduce Fear of Dental Treatment
Dental treatment fear is a common issue for children, but it can be reduced through various methods. Child-friendly dentists and special preparation rooms for children help make children feel more comfortable during treatment.
Play therapy and visual stimuli can make the treatment process more understandable and fun for children. Additionally, visual explanations and colorful materials used by the dentist can help children find dental treatment less intimidating.
Playing games with the dentist or telling positive stories before the treatment can help psychologically prepare the child. These methods reduce the child’s fear of dental treatment and positively impact their overall health.
Benefits of Early Start to Dental Health in Children
Starting dental care at an early age in childhood both protects dental health and reduces fear of treatment. Early dental treatment prevents future problems and increases the child’s trust in the dentist. This habit is a critical step for a healthy smile. Meeting the dentist early reduces children’s concerns about dental treatment and allows them to adapt to treatment more easily.
Tips for Families to Overcome the Fear of Dental Treatment
In order to prevent children from having fear of dental treatment, families need to establish positive communication and explain the treatment process to their children in a simple way. The first dentist visit is very important for children to get used to this process. Negative language should not be used. This approach increases the child’s confidence and helps them develop a positive approach to treatment.
Frequently Asked Questions
You can take a look at the frequently asked questions of our patients and contact us for any other questions you may have.
Fear can be prevented by positive conversations, early introduction and a positive approach.
Yes, long-term fear can lead to psychological disorders and phobia.
Sedation or general anesthesia may be used.
When there is a physical disability or difficulty communicating, general anesthesia may be used.
Children stay in the break room for 1-2 hours and then are sent home.
It is important to provide the child with a safe environment and positive conversations.
Misdirection and scary movies can cause fear.
Early dentist visits and positive experiences help them overcome fear.
