Contrary to popular belief, fear of the dentist is extremely common. Nevertheless, when you yourself have a genuinely life-affecting fear of the dentist chair, you can’t help but feel you’re alone in your suffering. Exactly how terrified or otherwise a person may be of the dentist varies significantly from one person to the next. While some simply do not relish the idea of going through dental surgery, others suffer panic attacks and extreme anxiety even at the thought of entering the building.
To those dealing with severe fears and phobias, it often feels as if nobody really understands. Which is precisely why much of the advice and guidance provided for those with genuine phobias proves to be somewhere between unhelpful and insulting. After all, these are the kinds of psychological issues that can’t be simply swept to one side or ignored.
Understanding Origins
In terms of where fear of the dentist comes from, the simple fact of the matter is that none of us are born afraid of the dentist. As such, in the overwhelming majority of cases the individual’s fear can be traced back to one or more traumatic experiences. And while these experiences usually occur during childhood, fear of the dentist can also begin and be nurtured at any age.
That being said however, there are many instances where the individual in question may never have had a single traumatic experience at the dentist, though still develops an overpowering and controlling fear or phobia. Even today, experts know very little about intense fears and phobias, other than the fact that they have the potential to take over the individual’s life and lead to severe psychological and physical health problems alike.
Working with A Dental Fear or Phobia
While some shy away from their fear of the dentist, it is only those who acknowledge and accept their current situation that have the opportunity to do something about it. Of course, investing in the very best electric toothbrush recommended by dentists and the best water flosser to prevent tooth decay can help maximise oral health and avoid the need for dental surgery. Nevertheless, it is inevitable that sooner or later it will be necessary to visit the dentist, so how can you work with your fear proactively in order to cope?
What follows is a brief overview of 10 of the most helpful and realistic tips and guidelines for those looking to overcome or at least gain control of their fears of the dentist’s chair:
- First and foremost, do not under any circumstances try to pretend you are not afraid or assume that your dentist will think unkindly of you, should you bring them out into the open. Instead, you should be looking to do the exact opposite – tell the dentist everything possible about your fear and chat openly on the subject. This will in its own right make you feel more comfortable, while at the same time prompting the dentist to treat you with the utmost care and consideration.
- If you can identify the origins of your phobia, it is worth considering the fact that standards in professional dentistry may have changed exponentially in the meantime. Even if you haven’t been to the dentist for just a few years, the way things work now may come as a big surprise. Dentists are fully aware of patients’ fears and right now have a wide variety of treatment options and methods specifically suited to nervous patients.
- Should you require any treatment, be sure to discuss each and every aspect/element of the process with your dentist long before the procedure begins. The reason being that fear of the unknown (as in not knowing what to expect) can be considerably worse than knowing and understanding what’s to come.
- These days, there is absolutely no reason whatsoever why any particularly nervous patient should have to undergo any kind of treatment (or even an examination for that matter) without mild sedation. There are plenty of medications and supplementary treatments available right now that can make it so much easier for nervous patients to deal with what is happening. If your dentist does not offer them, it might be a good idea to seek a different dentist entirely.
- Speaking of which, there are also many dentists available these days that specifically specialise in working with nervous patients. You can usually find this information on their websites, along with what exactly it is they do to help nervous patients through the process. Before making your final choice, it is a good idea to first carry out a little research and see what past and present patients just like yourself have to say about this particular service provider.
- If for any reason whatsoever you are uncomfortable with your chosen dentist or find it difficult to trust or get on with them, you absolutely must seek a new dentist immediately. The reason being that unless you are comfortable with your dentist and have established a relationship of trust, this will only add even more anxiety to an already difficult situation – thus making things even worse. There are thousands of dentists available, so feel free to be as selective as necessary.
- Many dentists who specialise in the treatment of nervous patients recommend practicing relaxation techniques before, during and after dental appointments. If you arrive relaxed, you are far less likely to succumb to anxiety during your appointment.
- Try to remember that you are in control at all times and that your dentist must stop immediately if you tell them to. As you cannot speak during the dental treatment, establish a ‘stop’ signal for your own peace of mind.
- As already touched upon, it’s of crucial importance to have the most outstanding oral health and hygiene regime, in order to minimise the likelihood of having to undergo treatment. In addition, visiting your dentist on a regular basis can help ensure that any potential problems are nipped in the bud as early and painlessly as possible.
- Last but not least, it’s important to remember that there’s nothing to say that the dentist has to go anywhere near your mouth on the first, second or indeed any appointment that follows. Make an appointment for no reason other than to wander around the surgery, speak to the dentist, chat with the nurses on duty and so on. As you familiarise yourself with the environment and build trust with those who will be treating you, chances are you’ll find the whole process considerably less intimidating.
