For some children, a dental visit becomes more than a routine check-up. it becomes a lasting emotional memory. Childhood dental shaming occurs when a child is made to feel embarrassed or guilty about their teeth. Comments like “Don’t you brush properly?” or “Your teeth are so bad” may seem casual to adults, but to a child, they can feel deeply personal.
Children often do not fully control their oral hygiene. They rely on parents for supervision, diet choices, and dental visits. When they are blamed for cavities or poor oral health, they may internalize shame rather than understand the problem. Over time, this can affect self-esteem. Some children begin hiding their smile, feeling anxious before dental appointments, or developing long-term dental fear.
Studies show that negative dental experiences in childhood are linked to dental anxiety in adulthood. Avoiding dental care due to fear can worsen oral health, creating a cycle of guilt and avoidance.
A supportive approach works better. Instead of blame, professionals and parents can use simple explanations and positive encouragement. Saying, “Let’s make your teeth stronger together,” builds responsibility without damaging confidence.
Oral health is not only physical — it is emotional too. When we treat a child’s teeth, we are also shaping their self-image.
The question is: are we correcting habits, or unintentionally creating silent trauma?
Greatly explained! Trauma related to dental treatment is a common phenomenon. When children are shamed about their dental hygiene, adults may believe they are simply trying to discipline them. However, the child may not understand the intent behind it, which can lead to feelings of shame and embarrassment about their teeth.
Instead, it would be helpful if dentists and parents encouraged children and made them feel comfortable and supported while learning about dental hygiene.
Yes, that fear is really true and relatable. Shaming a child for something he does not properly understand and does not have full control over can be more traumatizing than educational. In childhood, oral hygiene is usually supervised by parents, so instead of shaming him or her, we should focus more on teaching and guiding them on how to do it better.
I also experienced something similar in childhood, where I was blamed for something I did not fully understand instead of being guided properly. That kind of response can stay in a child’s mind and become a painful memory.
Harsh habit correction can cause silent trauma like shame or anxiety. Using empathy and positive support helps avoid this and encourages lasting change.
ITS mistake of parents which reflects on kid.our conditionning is like this that if parents ar not taknig care of dental hygeine and they just take care of general health which is linked to morbidity. So then kids take it as observation..and when people say such comments its for looks..so better way is to explain effect on health rather than shaming it. then kids will be aware
“This is such a vital perspective. Oral health is so deeply tied to confidence, and shifting from shame to support makes all the difference for a child’s long-term well-being.”
When we try to correct habits it can sometimes hurt a child without us even realizing it. This happens when we use mean words or make them feel ashamed. We usually want our kids to take care of their teeth but being too hard on them is not the way to do it. Kids do not have a lot of control over what they do or what’s around them. So when we yell at them they might start to feel bad, about themselves. They could even get scared of going to the dentist.. That can stay with them when they grow up. What we should do instead is help. Encourage kids to do better. We should not make them feel embarrassed. Habit correction, like teaching oral hygiene should be done in a way that guides and supports the child not hurts them. When oral health education is delivered with empathy and support, it corrects habits; when delivered with criticism, it risks creating lasting emotional harm.
This is such an important and often overlooked topic.
Childhood dental shaming can leave long-lasting emotional scars, shaping fear, anxiety, and avoidance of oral care well into adulthood.
Awareness, empathy, and supportive dental environments are key to breaking this cycle and protecting both mental and oral health
So well said. Fear and shame are never effective motivators for health; they only create barriers. Creating a safe, non-judgmental space is just as vital as the treatment itself. It’s time we recognize the long-term impact our words have on a young patient’s emotional health.
The results of such negative comments are directly visible on the dental chair. I had a worried mother visit the department during my junior residency with her son who was getting teased for “not having front teeth”. He had delayed eruption and was not truly missing his teeth. The child’s question to me was, when will my teeth erupt? This shows how deeply was he affected by the negative comments of his peers and adults.
This article sheds light on an often-ignored issue — negative or shaming experiences around oral health in childhood can have lasting psychological effects. Research shows that early dental experiences are linked to later dental anxiety and avoidance of care, which may worsen oral health outcomes over time.
Dental fear and anxiety in children are associated with poorer quality of life, lower self-esteem, and reduced willingness to seek treatment, highlighting how emotional experiences around care shape both health behaviour and wellbeing.
Discussions like this are important reminders that empathy and supportive communication in clinical settings — especially with children — are not just ethical, but essential for fostering lifelong trust in healthcare.
Even Small words can turn louder trauma for children , This can be prevented by teaching oral hygiene methods in schools on intervals which can keep good oral and mental health of children.