What Causes Dental Anxiety in Children?

As a child, having to go to the family dentist can be a scary experience, especially if it’s your first time in the chair. While dental anxiety is most commonly seen in children, it may also be found in any age group. There are a variety of reasons why children refuse to see a dentist, even when they are in desperate need of family dentistry in San Jose.

There are a lot of dental clinics that provide safe and reliable services for children who suffer from anxiety. If you're unsure whether or not your child has dental anxiety, consider the following factors that may have contributed to their dread of the dentist.

Dental Anxiety and Phobia: What Causes It?

A Traumatic Dental Experience

Children who already had a visit to their dentist are more likely to suffer from anxiety on their second visit than those who haven’t. A child who suffers from an extremely bad dental visit is a surefire way to cause a dental phobia as an adult. Therefore, it’s important to make sure that your child’s first dental visit is a fun and exciting one.  

When you provide your child with a fun and relaxing experience when going to the dentist, it will create a lasting impact on your child’s mental health. Children who previously had a bad experience at the dentist are more likely to avoid their next visit because of the trauma of their first visit.

They’re Afraid of Pain

Pain is always a factor when it comes to dental procedures. The fear of pain doesn’t only affect children, but it affects everyone in more ways than one. One of the most common reasons why children avoid seeing their dentist again is because they had a painful experience the last time they went.

Luckily, dentists can now conduct most of today's dental operations with little to no discomfort thanks to sedatives, anesthetics, and pain-relieving medicines. If your child suffers from dental anxiety because of the fear of pain, the best way to deal with this is to discuss it together with your child’s dentist.  

Loss of Personal Space  

When it comes to dental procedures, most of them are very invasive in nature since your dentist will need to go through the different parts of your mouth. While children are less likely to feel anxious in these circumstances, there are still those who are self-conscious and feel uneasy

To deal with this, parents should accompany their children every step of the way. If possible, parents should be next to or near their children when having their dental procedure. This way, your child will feel more relaxed and less anxious since you’re within reach.

Looking for a Reputable Family Dentistry in San Jose?

If you'd like to learn more about how you can help your children overcome their dental phobia, our dentists are eager to hear from you. Here at Center for Advanced Dentistry, we provide exceptional dental care in a comfortable environment. Schedule an appointment today!