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

Should I take my kid to the dentist?

Your child should see a dentist by their first birthday, or within six months of their first tooth coming in — whichever happens first.

The first visit is very important, and also short and gentle:

• A quick look at the teeth and gums (sometimes with your toddler on your lap)
• Guidance for you on brushing, diet, and teething
• Little games, hellos, and goodbyes to get familiar with the dentist

Most first visits take 30 to 45 minutes and involve no cleaning, X-rays, or treatment.

So, if you were picturing a squirming toddler in a big reclining chair, you can relax, as that’s not how it should go. This guide will give you more insight into what happens, why the visit matters this early, and how to set your child up for a smooth first experience.

When should my child’s first dental visit be?

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) and the American Dental Association both recommend a first visit by age 1, or within six months of the first tooth erupting — whichever comes first.

That’s earlier than many parents expect, and earlier than many general dentists used to recommend.

There’s a good reason for the early timeline: tooth decay can start as soon as teeth appear, and early visits let the dentist catch small issues, like a feeding habit affecting the teeth, before they become bigger problems.

This first appointment is sometimes called a “well-baby dental visit,” modeled after the well-baby checkups your pediatrician already does.

What actually happens at the first visit?

A first dental visit is brief, low-pressure, and designed around your child’s age and comfort. You can expect it to include:

• A gentle visual exam: The dentist looks at your child’s teeth, gums, jaw, and bite to check that everything is developing on track and to spot early signs of decay.
• A knee-to-knee exam: For babies and toddlers who can’t yet sit in a reclining chair, the dentist and a parent sit knee-to-knee, facing each other, while your child lies back with their head resting in the dentist’s lap. It looks unusual the first time, but it lets the dentist see clearly while your child stays close to you the whole time.
• A cleaning demonstration: The dentist typically demonstrates how to brush your child’s teeth using a soft brush, gauze, or washcloth, and answers your specific technique questions.
• A parent conversation: Expect a relaxed conversation (as relaxed as possible with a toddler) about your family’s dental history, diet, bottle or pacifier habits, fluoride, and teething, along with a chance to ask anything on your mind.
• No treatment (usually): First visits almost never include X-rays, cleanings, or any treatment. The goal is simply to get your child comfortable in the chair and give you a baseline for their oral health.

Altogether, a first visit typically runs 30 to 45 minutes, including a few minutes of paperwork if you haven’t completed forms online ahead of time.

What should I bring to the first appointment?

If it’s your first time, it doesn’t hurt to come prepared. You can bring:

• Completed intake forms: If the office offers digital forms in advance, you can fill them out ahead of time, which will save you time and problems with trying to fill them up with your toddler in a waiting room.
• Your child’s health history: If your kid has any medical conditions, medications, allergies, etc.
• A comfort item: Your toddler might benefit from having a familiar, comforting item to ease the transition to a new place.
• Insurance information: Bring your dental insurance card or your Medicaid information if you have coverage. Many plans cover preventive visits for children at no cost.

How can I prepare my toddler for their first visit?

The best preparation happens well before appointment day. A few habits make a real difference:

• Start home cleaning early: Wipe your baby’s gums with a clean, damp washcloth after feedings, even before teeth appear. Once teeth erupt, brush gently twice a day.
• Talk about the visit casually: Read books about visiting the dentist, or watch a children’s show episode about it, so the idea feels familiar rather than new.
• Keep your own tone light: Kids pick up on tone more than words. A relaxed, matter-of-fact attitude from you does more than any pep talk.
• Choose a good time of day: Late morning appointments tend to go better than ones squeezed in around naps or at the end of a long day.

Remember: this is a specialty pediatric dental office designed for this age group. It will likely feature bright colors, small chairs, and dentists trained specifically to treat young children.

Why does the first visit matter so much?

An early first visit does two things a later one can’t: it catches problems while they’re still small and easy to treat, and it shapes how your child feels about the dentist for years to come.

Children who start visits early and have positive experiences are far less likely to develop dental anxiety later, since the office becomes a familiar, ordinary part of life rather than an unknown one.

FAQs

Here are some frequently asked questions about the first dental visit.

Is a 1-year-old too young for the dentist?

No, age 1 is exactly when the AAPD recommends starting.

Even a toothless or barely-toothed baby benefits from an exam, since the dentist checks jaw and gum development and can catch feeding-related issues early.

Will my child get X-rays at the first visit?

Usually not. X-rays aren’t standard at a first visit and are typically introduced later, once a child has enough teeth in contact with each other for X-rays to be useful. This will more likely happen around age 5 or 6, or sooner if the dentist suspects a specific problem.

What if my child cries the whole time?

That’s completely normal, especially for very young toddlers, and it won’t derail the visit. Pediatric dental teams are trained to work efficiently and gently, even through tears, and a short, honest first exam still accomplishes its goal.

Do I need a referral to see a pediatric dentist?

No referral is typically required; you can call and schedule directly.

Some pediatricians will recommend a pediatric dentist at a well-child visit, but you’re free to book on your own once your baby is close to their first birthday.

The first dental visit helps your kid with prevention

Your child’s first dental visit is more about building comfort and catching small issues early than it is about getting treatment.

Book it by age 1, keep your own energy relaxed, and expect a short, gentle appointment focused on you as much as your child.

That early, positive start makes all the difference for a future life full of healthy smiles.

Sources:

• AAPD: The Importance of the Age One Dental Visit
• Mouth Healthy: Your Baby’s First Dental Visit

• 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

Radiation

Radiation is a pretty scary word. But radiation isn’t always something to fear. The basic definition of radiation is any source of energy that travels in the form of a particle or a wave. For example, the light coming from your lightbulb as well as the signal being emitted from your cell phone are considered radiation. While there are definitely some types of radiation that are more harmful than others, many types of radiation occur all around us and are not considered dangerous.

When X-ray imaging was first introduced to the medical field, it was more dangerous due to amount of time required for an image to be captured. This meant that a patient received more exposure to the X-rays. However, today’s dental X-ray technology has been improved so drastically compared to the early days of X-ray use that both the duration and amount of radiation exposure are significantly lower.

So can a dental X-ray cause cancer?

Frequent and unnecessary dental x-rays can increase the chances of getting cancer in much the same way that going out in the sun without skin protection can cause skin cancer. As long as they are not having X-rays performed more often than needed, your child’s health should not be negatively impacted by X-rays.
How much radiation is in a dental X-ray?

The average American receives a dose of 3 millisieverts (mSv) of radiation from natural sources (sunlight and elements in soils) each year according to the Department of Health and Human Services. A routine dental radiograph only emits around 0.04-0.15 mSv. This means that your child would have to receive between 20-75 dental X-rays a year to be exposed to the same amount of radiation they will be exposed to by nature.

With that said, children are more radiosensitive than adults (radiation has stronger effects on their developing bodies) so it is important that their dentist has been specifically trained to perform X-rays on children.

The Benefits of dental X-rays

When you are preparing your child’s next dental visit, remember that x-rays make it possible to see cavities, growths and damage to their jaw or teeth that would be otherwise impossible to see. Knowing about any problems early on will allow us to treat them before they become dangerous (and much more expensive to fix).

If you have any other questions about X-rays, please feel free to give us a call at (801) 294-8880, message us on Facebook or send us a message using our contact page. We are looking forward to seeing you and your child in our office for their next checkup!

This is just a fun fact but we were honored to recently win an award for the best new dental office design in America!

Tip # 1: Start Young

Children can develop a fear for things at a young age. Bring your child to South Davis Pediatric Dentistry before their first birthday. Starting at a young age will help your child get into a routine, which can prevent a lot of issues with dental anxiety.

Tip # 2: Make Brushing Fun

Kids can dread brushing their teeth if this becomes a chore you nag them about. At South Davis Pediatric Dentistry, we want to bring the fun back into brushing your teeth! Our toothpaste flavors and brightly colored toothbrushes will make it fun for your kids to use. Another great way to help your kids enjoy brushing their teeth is to sing a song or to create a game when they brush their teeth. Click here for more ideas that will make brushing teeth more fun for your child.

Tip # 3: Make It a Habit

You need to make caring for teeth and gums a family habit. When your children see you brushing your teeth, they will follow suit. Try to have a routine where you can brush your teeth with your children at night. Brushing as a family is a great way to help your kids maintain proper oral health.

Tip # 4: Play Dentist Games

A great way to prepare your kids for the dentist is to play the dentist game with your kids. Take turns allowing them to be the dentist and you to be the dentist. This is a fun way to practice what will happen when they visit our office. Playing dentist with stuffed animals is another fun way to prevent kids from being nervous about visiting the dentist.

Tip # 5: Go as a Family

Another way to help your child feel comfortable when visiting the dentist is to schedule a family visit. A younger child might feel less worrisome when they watch their older sibling have their teeth cleaned and examined first. Going together also prevents your child from feeling alone when they are in the dental chair.

Tip # 6: Talk to the Dentist

Our friendly dental team wants to make your child’s visit go as smoothly as possible. Bring up any fears you may have with our office and we will work with your child to help them feel comfortable. We have the latest tools and techniques in Pediatric dentistry and we provide sedation dentistry to help your child feel relaxed when they are in the dental chair.

Tip # 7: Prepare Your Child

Don’t just spring up a dental visit on your child without plenty of warning. Children need to have time to process things that can be new or different. Discuss what the visit will entail so your child can be prepared. If your child needs to have a dental filling, make sure you discuss this with your child so they aren’t scared when they are in the office.

Tip # 8: Stay with Your Child

Some kids need to have their parents with them to hold their hands and reassure them while the dentist works on their teeth. If you know your child needs your reassurance, stay near them to hold their hand during the appointment.

Our Bountiful dental office is inviting for children and it is a fun place for children to play while learning about their oral health. Call South Davis Pediatric Dentistry today to schedule your child’s visit; (801)294-8880.