As a parent, you know why dental health is so important. You know why regular dentist appointments are so important. Your child might not know or understand that. They probably see the whole experience as scary. While children’s media tries to portray dentistry as not such a scary thing, for a lot of kids, it just still terrifies them.
This is just one of those fears that they need to get over. Just like the fear of needles, no one likes it, but the fear alone could hold back your health. It’s so important to prepare for dental visits and kick all of these fears to the curb. So, with all of that said, here’s how having a dental fear can be detrimental to your child’s health.
Skipping Preventive Care
One of the most immediate consequences of dental fear in children is the avoidance of regular dental check-ups. Now, you need to keep in mind that routine visits to the dentist are essential for preventive care, early detection of dental issues, and professional cleanings.
These twice-a-year appointments are not some gimmick to throw money at the dentist; these are just incredibly important aspects since dental health can literally affect other forms of health. So, when fear prevents children from attending these appointments, it increases the risk of undetected problems and delays necessary interventions.
The Potential of Neglecting Dental Health Altogether
So, one thing you need to think about is dental anxiety and how that can easily turn into a dental phobia. So, a persistent dental fear in childhood can evolve into dental anxiety or phobia in adulthood- obviously far from ideal.
Plus, adults with dental anxiety may avoid dental care altogether, leading to the neglect of oral health and an increased likelihood of developing serious dental issues. All of these become connected for the person, which will lead to a mental health decline as well as a physical health decline. So, by addressing dental fear early on can prevent the escalation of anxiety into adulthood.
Costly Treatments Later in Life
When someone, a child, or an adult avoids their dental check-ups due to fear, there’s always going to be a high chance that they may not receive timely intervention for common dental issues. This can include issues such as cavities or misalignments. Plus, when it comes to untreated dental problems, these can also escalate, leading to more extensive and costly treatments later on.
But in general, regular preventive care is crucial for addressing issues in their early stages and maintaining optimal oral health. Going into more detail about these financial burdens, usually, the problems will only get worse, such as root canals or orthodontic treatments, but they can even be much higher than the expenses associated with routine preventive care.
Huge Influences on Social Interaction
A child’s smile is a crucial aspect of their social interactions- even into adulthood. So, dental fear may cause children to feel self-conscious about their teeth, leading to social withdrawal or a reluctance to engage in activities that involve smiling or speaking. It only gets worse during adulthood; it really does. You want to foster confidence, and good oral health is really how you do it.
