Children and Dental Fear: How Sedation Can Help Kids Who Fear the Dentist

Dr. Heather Martinson • February 16, 2024

Taking your little ones to the dentist can be as tough as pulling teeth – literally. Picture the scene: the tiny feet dragging on the floor, the grimace at the mere mention of "dentist," and the outright rebellion at the doorstep of the dental clinic.

It's a common story in many families, echoing the corridors of countless dental offices worldwide. But what if we told you there's a way to turn these fearful visits into a walk in the park? Enter pediatric dental sedation, a game-changer for kids who view the dentist's chair as a dragon's lair.

With insights from experts and a sprinkle of parental wisdom, let's dive into how this approach can ease your child's dental fear, ensuring smiles all around. Ready to learn more?

Let's make that next dental visit a breeze, not a battle.

Understanding Kids' Dental Fear

When we think about why kids might fear the dentist, it's not just about the strange noises and sharp instruments; it's a dive into the unknown, a break from their comfort zone. This section peels back the layers to understand the roots of this anxiety and its ripple effects on dental health.

Let's explore the common triggers and consequences of this fear.

The Roots of Anxiety

Kids' dental fear often sprouts from a garden of unknowns – strange tools, unfamiliar faces, and the fear of pain. Stories from friends or cartoons can also plant seeds of dread, growing into towering trees of terror by the time they reach the dentist's chair.

It's a natural response to the unfamiliar, a protective instinct kicking in.

Impact on Dental Health

This fear does more than just make dental visits a challenge; it can erode the very foundation of a child's dental health. Avoiding the dentist means small problems can become big ones – cavities ignored, gum issues left unchecked, and so on.

Over time, what could have been simple fixes turn into complex procedures, making the fear worse and the health outcomes poorer. It's a cycle that can impact not just their smiles, but their overall well-being.

The Benefits of a Family-Centric Approach

Choosing a dental practice that values family-centric care has its perks. It's about building a relationship with a team that knows your family's dental history inside and out.

This approach ensures that children's dental fear is treated consistently and customized to their individual needs.

Personalized dental care plans are not just a fancy term; they're a commitment to addressing the unique dental needs of each family member. Whether it's the specific concerns of growing children or the complex needs of older adults, a family-focused practice can adapt its services to suit everyone, making dental visits more about maintenance and less about managing crises.

Pediatric Dental Sedation Explained

In the quest to conquer the dragon of dental fear, pediatric dental sedation emerges as a knight in shining armor. This section delves into what pediatric dental sedation is and the various types available, offering a beacon of hope for anxious children and their families.

What is Pediatric Dental Sedation?

Pediatric dental sedation is a medical approach to make dental visits less daunting for children. It uses medication to help kids relax or even sleep through procedures, ensuring they're comfortable and fear-free.

The goal is simple: to transform dental visits from terrifying to tolerable, making sure kids' smiles remain bright and healthy without the trauma.

Types of Sedation Used

Family dentists have a toolbox of sedation methods, each tailored to the child's needs and the procedure's demands.

Nitrous oxide, commonly known as laughing gas, offers a light, breathable option, easing anxiety with minimal side effects. Oral sedation, in the form of a pill, brings a deeper calm for more nervous patients.

In more intensive cases, IV sedation or general anesthesia may be used, supervised closely by trained professionals, ensuring safety and comfort throughout the dental journey.

Benefits of Pediatric Dental Sedation

Pediatric dental sedation is like a helping hand for kids during their dental visits. It makes these trips easier and less scary. Let's see how it helps calm fears and makes going to the dentist a better experience.

Easing Anxiety and Fear

Think of sedation as a way to turn the scary dentist's chair into a comfy spot. It helps lower kids' fear, making them feel calm when they go to the dentist. This calm feeling is a big help for the whole family, making dental visits a stress-free part of life.

Sedation also helps kids start thinking of dental visits in a good way, right from the start. This is super important for keeping them from being scared of the dentist as they grow up.

Improving Dental Visit Experiences

Sedation helps make the first pediatric dental visit smooth, and the ones after that too. It's like having a friend there to make sure kids feel safe and okay. This helps build trust with the dentist and makes kids feel good about taking care of their teeth.

Over time, as visits get easier, kids start to feel more confident. They learn that going to the dentist is just a normal part of staying healthy. Thanks to sedation, they can smile more and worry less about dental visits, setting them up for a lifetime of good dental habits.

Preparing Your Child for Sedation: Tips for Parents

Start by talking to your child gently about the dentist, focusing on the positives. Explain sedation in simple terms, like it's a way to make the visit easy and comfortable. This helps them know what to expect without feeling scared.

Next, listen to their feelings and reassure them. Share a calm activity, like breathing slowly or reading a story, to practice relaxing. Planning a fun activity for afterwards can also give them something to look forward to. Your support and positivity are crucial in making them feel safe and confident.

Embracing Pediatric Dental Sedation: A Path to Fearless Dentistry

Addressing kids' dental anxiety is key for their overall health, and pediatric dental sedation is a great tool for making dental visits stress-free. Heather E. Martinson's practice stands out with a comprehensive approach and advanced technology, ensuring a comfortable experience for your child.

We encourage parents to consult with us for personalized pediatric dental sedation plans. Discover how we make dental visits a positive experience for families.

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Dr. Heather E. Martinson

D.D.S

Dr. Martinson has been serving patients and improving smiles through her work for the past 25 years. She attended both Southern University in Tennessee and the University of Texas at Arlington before earning her Doctor of Dental Surgery at Loma Linda University School of Dentistry in Southern California. She is a graduate of The Dawson Academy in Florida and the Schuster Center in Arizona, and has completed several cosmetic, implant and restorative continuing education courses. Dr. Martinson has also earned certification in the American Academy of Facial Esthetics. This allows her to provide Botox and dermal fillers to her dental patients.

The favorite part of Dr. Martinson’s job is being able to work closely with so many wonderful people and help them become healthier! And also help them to avoid heart attacks and strokes!

Dr. Martinson is married to Captain Myron Martinson (formerly a pilot with American Airlines). Together they have several 4-legged kiddos. When she is not busy at work, she enjoys bicycling, gardening, cooking, entertaining and traveling with family.

Dr. Martinson maintains active membership in the following professional organizations:

The Dental Implant Process Explained

By Heather E. Martinson, DDS • May 21, 2025

Undergoing a comprehensive surgical procedure, such as a dental implant, can be a big step. Still, studies like one by Tobias et al. (2025) report over a 97% success rate , even after five years. These show that it can offer significant long-term benefits with a reasonable guarantee of retention. So, if you are searching for a reliable solution to a dental issue, Dr. Heather Martinson, DDS, may be the one to choose for state-of-the-art implant surgery, but what does it entail? Below, our dental implants guide describes the dental implant process step-by-step to help you understand and feel more comfortable getting the smile you want. Explore each stage, from the initial consultation to attaching the crown. Then, discover what you might want to discuss with Dr. Heather Martinson, DDS, to ensure you get the desired results. Why Dental Implants are Our Best Fix for Missing Teeth Unlike crowns or fillings, dental implants are not a simple cap on an existing tooth . Nor are they intended to be temporary. Instead, they replace both the tooth's root and crown , preserving the jawbone and structure of the face by offering a complete prosthetic that the body should accept as its own. Titanium posts integrate with the bone and offer a very stable foundation for chewing. This is one of the reasons studies such as those by Kupka et al (2024) have found that dental implants often last for decades, with 80% continuing to last for over 20 years. With crowns, you will still need to be careful of what you bite into in case the prosthetic detaches from the tooth. However, implants can often restore the full force of your bite. For this reason, Dr. Heather Martinson, DDS , and her team prefer to use these prostheses, eliminating several difficulties one might encounter with other options. How Gaps Affect Function and Appearance We understand that it can sometimes be tempting to leave tooth gaps as they are due to the perceived hassle of installing a new implant. However, missing teeth can drastically impact the mouth beyond issues with appearance or speech patterns, as it can cause the jawbone itself to start "sagging" where the tooth no longer exists. Teeth may also begin to shift position, leading to bite issues. Early restoration via a professionally-implanted denture can prevent this loss and maintain the face's proportions. Perfect for maintaining a youthful visage. Why Implants Outperform Bridges and Dentures Bridges and dentures are critical parts of a high-quality dentistry offering . However, they do not tend to last as long as an implant due to how implants preserve the underlying bone. This fact may go a long way towards explaining why the NIDCR in the US has recently discussed a " fourfold increase " in the number of adults receiving dental implants over two decades. Still, that doesn't mean discounting these options. If you feel a bridge or denture may be best for you, you should discuss your options with our dental team . Discuss the pros and cons of each option. In some cases, implant-supported dentures are also available , allowing for a combination of both. Dental Implant Process Step-by-Step at Heather Martinson DDS Our implant procedure steps combine: Consultations 3D imaging Surgical planning Continual checks for precision Constant coordination with colleagues Using these, we can ensure that your results are accurate and efficient. Initial Consultation and 3D Scan The first step is always to take a detailed medical and dental history . Using this, we can determine if you have any risk factors, such as smoking habits, that we need to be aware of so we can help maintain your safety. Then, we will assess how your jaw aligns to ensure we do not interfere with this. Our advanced scanner can capture 3-dimensional images of every part of your mouth for precision-planning, including: Jawbones Sinuses Nerve canals Details of prior surgery We can even use this to preview the final outcome before surgery, allowing you to understand the most likely results and give a go-ahead from a position of knowledge. Precise Implant Placement Before the final crown "tooth" can be placed in the jaw, you will require surgery to install the implant itself. This implant is the structure that sits in your jawbone, maintaining the visible crown's position while preventing it from moving. This step involves local anesthesia or other forms of sedation to ensure your comfort. Then, the dentist will create a path for your implant to sit within your jaw. The implant is up to 5mm in diameter and up to 13mm in length, meaning it is robust enough to prevent damage due to torsion or other forces. After the placement, the dentist will use sutures and a protective cap to shield the site. During this healing phase, the implant undergoes "osseointegration," which is the growth of bone cells around the implant surface. This process takes up to six months to ensure it integrates with the body. Once the dentist is sure that your body has accepted the implant, they will reveal the site of the implant and perform a scan to ensure that an external lab can produce a perfect crown for the area, matching your prior teeth as closely as possible. After the final attachment, you can review the tooth , offering feedback such as colour adjustments or determining whether it needs minor alteration to match your bite. Long-Term Implant Care The Arlington, TX, dental care experts can offer advice and guidance on the best steps to ensure that the implant lasts as long as possible and remains comfortable. However, should you need anything else , their clinic will be available for you to follow up, so ask them for more details on how you need to schedule follow-up appointments to ensure you get the best results. Take the Next Step with One of the Best Dentists in Arlington After learning the dental implant process step-by-step , you should understand what it entails and be able to make better healthcare decisions. With over 25 years of experience in Arlington, TX, we can ensure your treatment focuses on improving your dental health and restoring your natural and healthy beauty using the latest techniques and advances. If you want to investigate the possibility of an implant, remember that you can always request a free consultation with Heather Martinson, DDS. Following that, you should be able to begin your journey to regain your full chewing ability and a confident smile.