By Kelsi Matylewicz | Benco Dental Social Media Intern

Children’s anxiety about the dentist might be a learned trait from their parents, according to a study done by Delta Dental.

Children’s anxiety regarding the dentist is a common and understandable fear that many young kids share. This fear is frequently motivated by the unknown and the possibility of pain or discomfort. For youngsters, the unfamiliar setting of a dental clinic, with its weird equipment and sounds, might be daunting. Furthermore, anecdotes or experiences shared by friends or family members may aggravate the fear.

Dental Anxiety By the Numbers

The Delta Dental Plans Association survey shared some information on the participants and the results:

* Parents with children 12 and under: Nearly half (48 percent) of parents say they are nervous about going to the dentist, and roughly the same number (47 percent) of their children share the sentiment.

* While moms (55 percent) are more nervous than dads (40 percent) prior to their own dental appointment, they tend to have an easier time getting their kids to go to the dentist. Nineteen percent of moms say it’s one of the hardest things to do vs. 37 percent of dads.

The study also showed that 30% of children are fearful of going to the dentist. This is not all learned from parents. Other reasons children are nervous:  a painful visit, a lengthy appointment in the past, additional dental work on the horizon, or a dentist the child does not like.

Make Your Kiddos Comfortable

Delta Dental offers some tips to help make children’s dental visits more comfortable:

• Start taking your children to the dentist at a young age. Preferably six months of getting the first tooth—and no later than the first birthday.
• Talk positively. If children ask questions before a visit to the dentist, avoid using words that could make them scared. Avoid saying the dentist won’t hurt them; try to assure them the dentist will check their smile and their teeth.
• Children like to play games. Play dentist at home, have them open their mouth and count their teeth. Then, tell them to practice on their stuffed animals.
• Call ahead and let your dentist know your child is nervous about an upcoming visit.

One of the most essential things parents can do for their children to reduce dental anxiety is to instill a positive attitude about dental care from the beginning. Being relaxed, at ease, and employing positive reinforcement tactics can all help to alleviate some of the tension. Parents should also seek out pediatric dentists who specialize in working with children, as they often have a greater understanding of how to establish a pleasant and friendly environment to alleviate a child’s nervousness at the dentist.

For more information, read the article at Delta Dental’s website.