Your mom makes a big impact on your life! Mommy dearest is often the best source of comfort when you get dumped, have a fight with your bestie or get passed for that promotion.
But could she be responsible for your feelings about the dentist? Studies say yes!
Mothers who had high levels of anxiety were more likely to have children who reacted negatively to the dentist—even if it was their first visit to the dentist. And dental anxiety and fear are common — affecting nearly 30% of the adult population and 43% of children.
If along with those curly locks, your mom passed down dental anxiety – fear not. Here’s how to decrease your dread:
1. Go regularly. If you visit the dentist every 6 months, your visits will gradually get easier. You’ll feel more comfortable and your mouth will be healthier.
2. Tell your dentist. You’re not the first anxious patient, and you won’t be the last. Once you tell your dentist, he or she will know the best tactics to put you at ease.
3. Choose the right dentist. Pediatric dentistry is a specialty, not a marketing ploy. If you’re fearful of passing your fear to your little one—see a dentist who knows about tiny teeth.
More topics on dental visits:
• 3 Bribe-Free Ways to Get Your Kids to the Dentist
• Ease Your Child’s Dental Anxiety: Tots, Teens & Ages in Between
[…] Going to the dentist probably isn’t your favorite thing to do – in fact, nearly 30% of adults and 43% of children have dental anxiety, and their moms may be the root of their fear. […]