Anxiety can mean some people end up needing emergency dentistry, it has been suggested.
Writing for the Los Angeles Town Crier, Ken Schweifler described how a negative experience in the dentist’s chair can lead to fears about going for a check-up.
However, he said this may turn into a catch-22 type of situation.
Because people are anxious about receiving treatment they do not visit the dentist on a regular basis, meaning they miss out on preventative maintenance, Mr Schweifler explained.
This leads to more serious problems and, as a result, they require emergency dentistry.
“This traumatic experience then reinforces the dental phobia,” he added. “They never experience the rewards that come with uneventful checkups and achieving dental health.”
Children also require regular check-ups and nvdaily.com recently reported that according to the American Academy of Paediatric Dentistry, youngsters should go to the dentist before they are one year old.