Dental Anxiety Help and Treatment Near You

Does your child feel scared of the dentist, but need treatment? They are not alone. The Dental Association reports that 22 percent of children experience dental anxiety. If your child is like many other children, they undergo some degree of uneasiness when facing the need to visit the dentist. It can be unsettling having someone explore a personal area of your body, such as your mouth, gums, and teeth. Does your child feel scared of the dentist, but need treatment? They are not alone. For some children, this nervousness extends beyond being mildly unsettling. Those who experience aggressive forms of dental anxiety may be so panic-stricken by thoughts of visiting the dentist, their parents may avoid bringing them to the dentist altogether. When this happens, oral health issues can trigger a cascade effect requiring more invasive dental procedures or other repercussions, such as a tooth extraction, root canal, or emergency dental work.

Dental anxiety can also lead to poor self-esteem as most children and teens develop awareness of who they are, and are concerned about their appearance. Even though most children do not know what the dentist is looking for when conducting a dental exam, routine dental visits can help avoid many of the would-be scarier complications. Working through dental anxiety can enable your child to get the preventive care they may need to potentially avoid more intense dental treatments.


Dental anxiety is not a condition your child can overcome in a day though, as most children who have anxiety suffer from extreme discomfort, nervousness, fear, and even panic at the thought of going to the dentist. In more extreme cases, it manifests in very real symptoms. Unfortunately, this fear and anxiety causes many parents to put off taking their child to the dentist, sometimes for years. You can prevent extensive oral health issues through regular cleanings, examinations, and dental checkups, along with a few minor procedures along the way. Taking care of your child's teeth is about so much more than protecting the integrity of their smile and working to overcome dental anxiety.

Symptoms of Dental Anxiety

  • Upset stomach
  • Hot flashes and sweating
  • Palpitations and increased heart rate
  • Aggressiveness
  • Withdrawal
  • Low blood pressure and fainting
  • Panic attacks
  • Difficulty breathing and hyperventilation
  • Agitation
  • The urge to cry at the thought of going to the dentist
  • Difficulty sleeping before dental examinations
  • Intense discomfort at the thought of going to the dentist


Fortunately, there are several methods and tools you can use, both in our office and out, to help your child figure out how to stay calm before and after their next dental appointment. The more tools you use, the better you will equip your child to manage their anxiety effectively.

Causes of Dental Anxiety

  • Negative experiences from the past
  • Feelings of loss of control
  • Fear of anesthetics and the side effects they cause
  • Trust issues
  • Other phobias or conditions
  • Fear of injections
  • Fear of what dental sounds indicate
  • The discomfort of having your personal space invaded


Your child is unique and they come to the dentist with their individual history. This history shapes their perceptions and fears, and it can profoundly impact their experience, regardless of the dentist. The more you understand what shapes your child's anxiety, the better you will be able to address it. Children all over our community fear the dentist for a variety of reasons. Your child's reason may be one of the ones above, or something else entirely. Take time to assess the probable cause of your child's anxiety and start addressing it with them.

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