Expert answers
We know how daunting dental treatment can be. Our Dental Phobia certified experts are here to help ease your mind before treatment by answering your questions.
How do I cure my 6 year old’s dental phobia?
Dr. Jennifer, Iam a concerned mother a a 6year old boy, he’s beginning to develop a phobia of cleaning his teeth, its getting worse though, as now I only manage to clean them once every couple and days, I dont know what to do. Detentist vistits are a nightmare as well as he screams and kicked off. Please tell me what to do as I av no further ideas!!
I think that you need to take a step back here .
I dont know your child so any tips I give are general .
Sounds as if teeth cleaning time has become a battle which you are losing !
By 6 years old he should be cleaning his teeth himself.
Could you devise some way of making it fun rather than a battle , with a reward for even a small step .
Have you considered buying an inexpensive childs electric toothbrush ?
is teeth cleaning associated with anything else ?
Take him along to the dentist when you or another family member goes for a check , with no pressure on him to have his own teeth looked at.
Of course if he has known dental problems thats a different matter , and you may need to find out where the local Community Dental Service is , they often have more time and patience with a child who doesnt like it .
Often these things do sort themselves out as a child matures .
