Conquer Your Fear of Dental Treatment
Many people with aversions to seeking treatment from dental professionals attend their appointments anyway. But other folks’ distastes are so significant that they don’t go at all. When people never or hardly ever get dental care, they’re harming their teeth and overall oral health. This evasion can result in a multitude of conditions: cavities, plaque, tartar, loose teeth, gum disease and lost teeth.
The best dental offices are devoted to the care and comfort of every patient. Your dental team is highly experienced at putting concerned patients at ease. Their expert and highly knowledgeable professionals—from the receptionist to the dental staff—are friendly and cheerful, and their first mission is to comfort you so you can relax when you’re at your dental visit.
Why am I afraid of going to the dentist?
The reasons behind a dental phobia can be deep and tough to identify. That’s where psychology comes in. Just knowing why you’re afraid can be the first step to conquering it. Do you identify with any of these possible causes?
The sensation of being confined and not in control
It can be very disconcerting to be in a chair with someone hovering over you. And having instruments and a drill in your mouth doesn’t help either.
A feeling of embarrassment that it’s been too long since you’ve seen the dentist
If it’s been quite a while—years? decades?—since the last time an individual visited a periodontist or other oral healthcare provider, his (or her) teeth may be in such poor condition that he’s ashamed of them.
Bad memories of past dental visits
Those who were traumatized or negatively affected by previous dental visits might shy away from future dental treatment. The trauma could involve one or more events, such as pain, inferior care, or a staff member with an unfriendly demeanor.
Low tolerance for pain
Yes, there can be some minor physical discomfort involved in a dental visit, but every treatment can be made more bearable for you with an oral analgesic and with, if needed, oral or intravenous sedation.
Overcome Your Fear of Dental Treatment
Overcoming your fear of dental treatment is a huge achievement, and carrying through with an appointment is a wonderful and life-changing breakthrough. Once you find yourself back in the dental chair, you’ll be glad (and relieved!) that you did it!