Do you or your child have a fear of the dentist? Read this article for tips that will help you overcome your fear with a pediatric dentist in Tijuana Mexico.

Familiarize Yourself With Dental Procedures

Sometimes the best cure for dental anxiety is education. You may find that once you learn about different types of dental procedures, you'll realize that they're not as scary as you thought they were. 

Many people start experiencing dentophobia because of the way that dental procedures are depicted in the media. Rest assured that things like root canals and wisdom tooth extractions aren't as uncomfortable as they look on television. 

Don't Skip Appointments

This is tricky if you already have extreme dental anxiety, but it's in your best interest to go to all of your harmless general dentist appointments, even if you're feeling nervous.

You cannot beat your dental anxiety by not going to the dentist. By going to regular dental visits, you'll acclimate yourself to the experience, get to know your dentist, and keep your teeth healthy so you never have to experience a more "extreme" dental procedure.



By avoiding the dentist, you're making the experience even scarier.

Communicate With Your Dentist

If you're experiencing dental fear, know that your dentist understands. They've met patients with dental anxiety before, and they have experience calming them down. 

Your dentist can talk you through all of their procedures. They can familiarize you with their tools and allow you to take breaks if you're getting overwhelmed. 



Your dentist won't know how to help you if you don't bring up your anxiety to them in the first place. Trust us: they'll be compassionate. 

Arrive Early

If you have a dentist's appointment coming up, don't wait until the very last minute to leave home. Yes, you can arrive at your appointment time and still get in, but it's best to arrive a few minutes early.

Why is this?

First, you'll have plenty of time to check in. Your dentist will have time to prepare for your appointment so it can start on time. Waiting for a late dentist's appointment is worse than waiting on one in general! 



When you arrive and it's time to sit in the waiting room, this is the perfect opportunity to gather yourself or do something relaxing. Read a book, play a fun game on your phone, or do some quick breathing exercises so you can feel calmer once you get into the dentist's office. 

Consider Professional Help

If your dental anxiety is getting in the way of your dental health, it's reasonable to talk to a doctor or mental health professional.

Dentophobia is a genuine phobia. Therapists specialize in treating phobias and anxieties, so they can teach you coping mechanisms and help you reframe your thoughts.



You can even talk to a doctor or psychiatrist about taking anti-anxiety medication. Even if you only take it before your dentist's appointment, it can make a big difference. 

Child-Specific Tips and Tricks

In a small study, 43% of children between the ages of 10 and 14 experienced some level of dental fear. The fear is often more common amongst even younger children.

You should start taking your child to the dentist by the time they hit their first birthday (or when their first tooth erupts). By doing this, you'll acclimate them to the dentist and (hopefully) prevent dental anxiety in the future.

But what if you skipped those early dentist's appointments, or if your child feels anxious anyway? 

Here are a few child-specific tips and tricks that you can try.

Talk About Your Good Dental Experiences

Your child learns from you. If you have a good experience at the dentist's office, your child will feel more comfortable following your lead. Never talk about the dentist as if they're scary.

If possible, bring your child to an appointment with you. When they see that the appointment is quick and painless, they may feel more comfortable when it's time for them to go on their own. 

Show Your Child Dentist-Related Shows or Books

There are plenty of books and shows that feature visits to the dentist's office. When children see colorful characters that they can relate to visiting the dentist, they may feel more comfortable visiting on their own. 

Don't wait until the week of the child's appointment to show them these comforting books and shows. Make them an occasional part of story time year-round. 

Let Your Child Bring a Comfort Item

There's nothing wrong with letting your child bring a small blanket or stuffed toy to the dentist's office with them. If that's what keeps your child calm and comfortable, their dentist will understand. 

Eventually, your child will reach a point when this is no longer necessary.

If you're lucky, your dentist (or the front desk staff) may even take notice of the toy and "talk to it" as if it was another patient. This can further comfort the child. 

Go to a Pediatric Dentist in Tijuana, Mexico 

A pediatric dentist is always going to be better for a child's dental anxiety than a general dentist that focuses on adults or families.

Pediatric dentists have more experience with children. They receive extra training so they can handle child-specific dental problems and learn how to talk to children about complex dental situations in simple terms.



A good pediatric dentist will also have plenty of sedation dentistry options for children who truly can not move beyond their dental anxiety.

Fear of the Dentist Is Common, But You Can Move Past It

No one should feel embarrassed about having a fear of the dentist. Children and adults alike experience dentophobia, but that doesn't mean that they can't beat it. Use these tips for yourself or your child so you can have stress-free dentist's visits.



Are you looking for a dentist in Tijuana, Mexico for yourself or your child? Schedule an appointment at Dentiland! Our experienced professionals want to help you and your family keep your teeth healthy and clean.