Some kids don’t have the best time at the dentist. But when anxiety makes it impossible to treat them, you have a big problem on your hands.

If your child cries, clings, or flat-out refuses at the mention of a dental checkup, you’re in good company: research suggests that roughly 3 in 10 young children experience some degree of dental fear.

If your kid is struggling with dental anxiety, this guide is here to help you.

What can you do?

The best way to help a child with dental anxiety is to prepare them early and positively:

• Talk about the visit in simple terms
• Read books or play pretend dentist at home
• Schedule morning appointments
• Let the dental team take the lead in the chair

With patience and the right approach, most children outgrow their fear of the dentist.

The good news is that dental anxiety responds remarkably well to preparation, and most of the work happens before you ever leave the house.

Why are kids scared of the dentist?

As parents, understanding the reason behind this fear makes it easier to address and to be present for our kids. The most common reasons and causes for dental anxiety in children are:

• Fear of the unknown: An unfamiliar place, strange sounds and smells, and a stranger looking into their mouth is a lot for a small child to process.
• Borrowed fear: Kids who overhear adults describe dental visits as painful or scary absorb that script before they’ve formed their own.
• A previous bad experience: A child who has already had a toothache or a difficult procedure may brace for a repeat.
• Separation worries: This happens especially with toddlers, as being asked to sit alone in a big chair can feel like the scariest part of the visit.
• Your own anxiety: Believe it or not, children pick up on a parent’s tension in the waiting room. If you dread the dentist, your child likely knows.

How do I prepare an anxious child for a dental visit?

Preparation at home does more to reduce dental anxiety than anything that happens in the office. Here are nine strategies that work.

1. Keep explanations simple and positive

Say the dentist will “count your teeth and make them sparkly clean.”

Avoid detailed play-by-plays that give imagination room to run.

2. Never use scary words (even to deny them)

Words like hurt, shot, drill, and pain plant ideas that weren’t there.

Also, skip the well-meaning “don’t worry, it won’t hurt”, as kids hear only the last two words.

3. Play pretend dentist

Take turns counting each other’s teeth with a toothbrush and a mirror. Familiar games make the real chair feel like a rerun.

4. Read books and watch shows about the dentist

Many children’s favorites — from Peppa Pig to Daniel Tiger — have dentist episodes and books that normalize the visit. If you feel okay to watch a few episodes together and explain what happens with your kids, this is an excellent resource.

5. Book a morning appointment

Well-rested, fed kids cope better. Avoid squeezing the visit between school and practice, when everyone’s patience is thin.

6. Arrive early, not just on time

Arriving rushed can spike everyone’s stress. A few calm minutes in the waiting room let your child acclimate.

7. Bring a comfort item

A stuffed animal or small toy from home gives your child something familiar to hold onto, literally.

8. Stay calm and let the team lead

Answer your child’s questions honestly but briefly, and let the dental team explain the details. Remember: they do this all day, every day.

9. Celebrate effort, not survival

Afterward, praise the specific brave things your child did (“You opened so wide!”).

Avoid framing rewards as compensation for surviving something awful.

What do pediatric dentists do for anxious kids?

Pediatric dentists train for 2 to 3 extra years beyond dental school, and much of that training is about child psychology and behavior.

In the chair, they use proven comfort techniques:

• Tell-show-do: The dentist explains each step in kid-friendly words, demonstrates it on a finger or a stuffed animal, then does it. Predictability is the antidote to fear, and research consistently ranks tell-show-do among the most effective anxiety-reduction techniques in pediatric dentistry.
• Distraction: Ceiling TVs, music, storytelling, and counting games keep young minds busy while hands work.
• Stop signals: Simple “raise your hand if you need a break” signals return a sense of control to the child.
• Gradual exposure: Short, easy first visits (a ride in the chair, a quick look, a new toothbrush) build trust before any real treatment is needed.
• Comfort aids when needed: For children with severe anxiety or extensive treatment needs, options like nitrous oxide (laughing gas) can help.

Ask your dentist what they offer and when they recommend it.

When is dental anxiety a bigger problem?

Most dental fear fades with age and positive visits.

However, you need to talk to your pediatric dentist or pediatrician if your child’s anxiety is severe enough to:

• Prevent care entirely
• Involve panic reactions (vomiting, night terrors before visits)
• Fit a wider pattern of intense fears in other settings

Children with autism or sensory processing differences may also benefit from extra accommodations, and many pediatric offices offer quieter rooms, weighted blankets, or desensitization visits.

You only need to ask.

FAQs

Here are some frequently asked questions about dental anxiety in children.

Should I stay with my child during the appointment?

For toddlers and very anxious kids, yes, most pediatric dentists welcome a parent in the room, especially at first. As children grow more confident, stepping back (or out) often helps them build independence.

Follow the dental team’s lead; they’ll suggest what works best for your child’s age and temperament.

What if my child cries or refuses to open their mouth?

Stay calm — pediatric teams see this daily and won’t judge you or your child. Often the dentist will slow down, switch to a game, or simply do less that day. A short, incomplete, positive visit beats a complete, traumatic one, because it keeps the door open for next time.

At what age should I start dental visits to prevent anxiety?

By the first birthday, per the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. Children who start visits early treat the dental office as a normal part of life, which is the strongest known protection against the development of dental fear later.

Is it okay to bribe my child to go to the dentist?

Small rewards are fine; big bribes can backfire. A sticker or a trip to the park says “I’m proud of you.” An extravagant payoff says, “this must be really bad.”

Keep rewards low-key and focused on effort rather than on getting through an ordeal.

A calmer visit starts at home

Dental anxiety is common, normal, and very fixable. You, as an adult, might have it without realizing it. However, if you prepare with simple words and playful practice, time the appointment well, keep your own nerves in check, and let the dental team do what they are trained to do, you will likely be successful after a few attempts.

Every calm visit builds on the last.. A child who learns that the dentist is safe will become an adult who never skips a checkup.

Sources:

• NIH: How Can We Reduce Dental Fear in Children? The Importance of the First Dental Visit
• NIH: Impact of tell show do and audio-visual distraction techniques on pediatric dental anxiety: A comparative study

• Pick it up by the crown (not the root)
• Rinse the tooth gently
• Place it back in the socket if possible
• Get to a dentist within 30 minutes

If it’s a baby tooth, never put it back in. For a baby tooth, call your dentist.

For a chipped tooth, save the fragments and book a same-day visit.

As parents, we are familiar with playground falls, stray elbows at practice, and collisions with the coffee table. Dental injuries are among the most common childhood accidents, and what you do in the first half hour can make all the difference.

In this guide, learn exactly what to do (step by step) before you reach the dental office.

What do I do if my child knocks out a permanent tooth?

Keep calm. A knocked-out (avulsed) permanent tooth is a true dental emergency, but it can often be saved if you move quickly. Follow these steps:

• Pick it up by the crown: Touch only the crown, the white part used for chewing. The root is covered in living cells that must survive for the tooth to reattach.
• Rinse, don’t scrub: If it’s dirty, rinse it briefly with milk or cool water. No scrubbing, no soap, no wrapping it in a tissue — all of these damage the root cells.
• Try to reinsert it: Gently push the tooth back into its socket facing the right way, then have your child bite softly on a clean cloth to hold it in place. This is the single best way to keep the tooth alive.
• If you can’t reinsert it, use milk: Place the tooth in a small cup of cold milk. Milk’s chemistry keeps the root cells alive far longer than water does. Saline or your child’s saliva also work; plain water is a last resort.
• Get to a dentist within 30 minutes: Teeth reimplanted within 30 minutes have the highest survival rate. After an hour, the odds drop sharply. Call ahead so the office is ready for you.

What if my child knocks out a baby tooth?

Never reinsert a knocked-out baby tooth. Pushing a primary tooth back into its socket can damage the permanent tooth developing underneath it — a trade no parent wants to make. Instead, stay calm, control any bleeding with gentle pressure from clean gauze, and call your child’s dentist the same day. The dentist will check that no fragments remain in the gum and, if the tooth was lost too early, may recommend a space maintainer so the surrounding teeth don’t drift into the gap.

What if I’m not sure if it’s a baby tooth or a permanent tooth?

Baby teeth are smaller and whiter, but when in doubt, store the tooth in milk and let the dentist decide.

What should I do if my child chips or breaks a tooth?

It depends on how badly the break it is. If it’s only a chipped tooth, it still needs prompt attention. This is because a small chip can expose the inner layers of the tooth, and bacteria can take advantage of this opportunity.

Here is a checklist on what to do:

• Rinse the mouth: Rinse your kid’s mouth with warm water. This cleans the area.
• Save any fragments: If you can find the broken piece, keep it in milk or water. Dentists can sometimes bond the fragment back on.
• Apply a cold compress externally: Limit the swelling with a cold compress against the cheek or lips if necessary.
• See the dentist promptly: Sometimes you won’t see if there’s a crack or not. It’s better if the dentist can check it on the same or next day to catch if there’s any damage below the surface.

However, if you see that the chip exposes a pink or red spot at the center of the tooth, call the dentist immediately. That’s the nerve, and shouldn’t be exposed.

Dentist or emergency room?

If it is a dental injury, the dentist can do everything that an emergency room can. It’s probably better to see the dentist, unless you have a medical emergency like in some of these situations:

When both apply — say, a knocked-out tooth plus a hard hit to the head — the head injury wins. Go to the ER and bring the tooth in milk.

How can I prevent dental injuries in kids?

You can’t bubble-wrap a child, but you can stack the odds in their favor.

A custom-fitted mouthguard is the single most effective protection for kids who play contact sports — and for enthusiastic bikers, skaters, and trampoline lovers, too. Store-bought ‘boil and bite’ guards help; ones fitted by a dentist protect better and stay in place.

At home, keep walkways clear for new walkers and never use teeth as tools for opening packages.

FAQs

Here are some frequently asked questions about dental emergencies in kids.

How long can a knocked-out tooth survive outside the mouth?

The root cells begin dying within minutes in open air. Stored in cold milk, a tooth can remain viable for about an hour, sometimes a little longer. That’s why the goal is always the same: back in the socket or into milk immediately, and to the dentist within 30 minutes.

Can a chipped baby tooth be left untreated?

No — every chip deserves an exam. Even if it looks minor, a chip can hide a deeper crack or expose the tooth to infection, and sharp edges can cut your child’s tongue or cheek.

Most small chips are smoothed or bonded in a single quick visit.

Will a knocked-out permanent tooth reattach on its own?

If reinserted quickly, the tooth’s root can reattach to the socket over several weeks — but it needs a dentist to splint and monitor it. A reimplanted tooth often needs follow-up care later, but it can last for many years.

What if I can’t find the tooth?

Still see the dentist right away. The tooth may have been pushed up into the gum rather than knocked out, or it could have been swallowed or inhaled. An X-ray will show where it went and whether any fragments remain.

Keep calm and save your kids’ smile

Dental accidents can look dramatic: the mouth bleeds a lot. However, most injured teeth can be treated successfully when parents act quickly and calmly.

Remember the essentials:

• Crown, not root
• Milk, not water
• Dentist within 30 minutes
• Never reinsert a baby tooth

Save your dentist’s emergency number in your phone today, before you need it.

Sources:

• American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
• ADA MouthHealthy: Dental Emergencies
• International Association of Dental Traumatology: Guidelines for the Management of Traumatic Dental Injuries: General Introduction

What Parents Need to Know

We are worried about children dealing with toothaches, especially if they are accompanied by fever and facial swelling. Typically, a simple toothache is not a symptom of an emergency. Parents need to ask their children where the pain is occurring. Kid’s are notorious for saying the pain is in a variety of different areas in the mouth. Sometimes a simple piece of food is embedded in the gums, which can lead to pain, swelling, and infection. Does your child have a cold sore or canker sore? Examine their gums for signs of sores or swelling.

Is the Pain Waking Up Your Child?

Did your child wake up in the night with a toothache? If they have persistent pain or pain that keeps them awake at night, you should bring them into our office as soon as possible. A dental problem will become worse if it is not properly treated. The largest concern we have with intense dental pain is if the pain indicates a serious problem like an abscess tooth.

Sometimes children cannot identify where the pain is because the pain could be caused as a result of an abscess tooth that leads to nerve infection, which can cause pain in multiple areas of the mouth.

What Causes Dental Pain?

There are a variety of reasons why a child experiences dental pain, but it normally starts from a bacteria-induced infection. When your child comes into our office, we will examine their teeth and gums to look for signs of problems. If your child recently had a cavity filled, their bite could be misaligned, which leads to pain or aching while chewing.

If there is pain and swelling around the tooth, it could mean your child needs a pulpotomy. A pulpotomy is essentially a root canal performed on a baby tooth. The procedure involves removing part of the tooth’s nerve tissue. Unlike a root canal, only a small amount of pulp is removed from the tooth.

How Can I Help?

As a parent, you certainly want to do everything possible to keep your child from feeling any pain. There are some things you can do at home to reduce toothache pain, and hopefully solve the issue. If you cannot see a sore, or visible signs of decay (brown spots) on a tooth, help your child gently floss on both sides of the tooth. Flossing will help to free food particles that may be trapped beneath the gums and teeth. If your child is still dealing with pain, call our office at (801) 294-8880 immediately.

If your child is experiencing swelling, use an ice pack to help soothe the area and reduce swelling. Place the ice pack on and off the area that is painful and hold the ice for about a minute before taking it off for another minute, repeating the process for about twenty minutes.

Never attempt to rub any sort of alcohol on your child’s teeth or gums because it will harm them and will not cure an oral infection. Do not rub aspirin on the gums because it can burn the gums. Call our Bountiful pediatric dental office today to schedule an appointment for your child and help them get out of pain and on their way to a healthier smile!