{"id":940,"date":"2019-11-27T09:20:43","date_gmt":"2019-11-27T14:20:43","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.pointedentalgroup.com\/blog\/?p=940"},"modified":"2019-11-27T09:20:46","modified_gmt":"2019-11-27T14:20:46","slug":"fear-of-the-dentist","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pointedentalgroup.com\/blog\/fear-of-the-dentist\/","title":{"rendered":"Child Dental Anxiety: How to Help Your Child Overcome Fear of the Dentist"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Does your child have a fear of the dentist? It\u2019s\nsurprisingly common! Some parents may think that it\u2019s normal, but childhood\ndental anxiety can be problematic \u2013 for both the dentist and the child\u2019s oral\nhealth! Fortunately, advancements in modern dentistry have made everything from\nexaminations to treatments easier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite these advancements, there are many reasons that\npeople from children to adults have a fear of the dentist. If your child is\nworried about their upcoming appointment, read on to learn how to understand\nand reduce their anxieties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How Common is Fear of the Dentist?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In both children and adults, a fear of the dentist is\nestimated to affect up to 20 percent of the population in the US! Of course,\nthese concerns don\u2019t all rise to the level of a clinically diagnosable \u201cdental\nphobia.\u201d In many cases, fear of the dentist is nothing more than a fear of potential\nembarrassment from finding cavities<\/a> or other signs of declining oral\nhealth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, in some cases, fear of the dentist can be severe.\nSome people are so paralyzed by the idea of going to the dentist that they skip\nyears of dental check-ups and cleanings. At this stage, it\u2019s more likely a true\nphobia than mere discomfort at the idea of needing extensive treatment from a\ndentist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Are Children More Likely to Be Afraid of the Dentist?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Interestingly, true dental phobia affects children or adults\nthe same. While some people would prefer not to need<\/em> to go to a dentist,\nin the same way they would like to avoid the need of visiting any doctor, they\nstill schedule their appointments as needed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

True dental phobia can afflict anyone, though adults are\noften more problematic. While children may develop a strong aversion to dental\nvisits, as long as their parents bring them to the dentist and solutions can be\nfound to treat them, most issues are avoided. When adults have dental phobia,\nthey are unlikely to go to the dentist even when they have pain or other major\ndental health concerns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Is Fear of the Dentist a Concern for Health Professionals?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Absolutely! Any hesitation to work with medical professionals\nwho look out for your health is concerning. In the case of oral health, most\nissues start small but can progress rapidly until they pose risks to your\noverall health. For instance, the ties between gum disease and your heart\nhealth are becoming more apparent as research continues!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When children are afraid of the dentist, they may take steps\nthat worsen their ability to maintain good oral health:<\/p>\n\n\n\n