Inheriting Dentophobia

If you’re terrified by the very idea of visiting the dentist, you may be suffering from dentophobia, and, as a parent, you may inadvertently pass this fear on to your children.

Routine dental checkups are important, because oral health issues can often be treated easily as long as they’re caught early. Studies have shown that receiving regular exams during childhood can prevent dental problems throughout adulthood! But if you are scared of the dentist, you may be preventing your kids from getting the dental care they need.

Here are some ideas to prevent dentophobia in your children:

Start Them Young

The American Dental Association recommends that children visit the dentist within six months of getting their first tooth and no later than their first birthday. If you start them in good habits at a young age, they can establish trust in their dentist, which will help prevent dentophobia in the future.

Keep it Simple

Kids are naturally curious and they may ask some questions before their dental visits. Avoid using scary words such as ‘drill’ or ‘shot’ and do not tell them it won’t hurt. Children don’t usually even think about pain being involved unless you mention it.

Stay As Positive As Possible

If your child does show fear or anxiety about the visit, tell them that there really is nothing to worry about. Explain that all the dentist wants to do is check out their smile and count their teeth.

Call Ahead

Before your child’s appointment, call our office and explain that your child may be a bit anxious about the visit. We’ll do what we can to help ease the fear!

If you’d like to ask us about you or your child’s dental fears, or to make an appointment, please contact Firestone Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics, located in Firestone, Colorado.