Are You Afraid of the Dentist?

Lots of people are afraid to go to a dentist. Are you scared of the DDS? Read on for a discussion of some of the issues surrounding this.

Going to the dentist isn’t usually a person’s favorite pastime. In fact, some individuals are just plain scared of going to their oral health care practitioner. Fears can range from mildly nervous to flat out phobic. Many people put off going to their oral health care practitioner for as long as possible. Unfortunately, this is the worst possible choice for these nervous patients. Letting teeth, gums and mouth go untended can result in much more painful experiences than if the person would have kept up with their dental needs. Here are some things to think about regarding dentistry fears:

- You’re not alone: It’s often a comfort to know that you’re not the only one with this problem. Being embarrassed about being scared only makes the difficulties work. Relax. There are lots of other patients who feel the same way and lots of dentists who are sensitive to this issue and will be extremely compassionate to your feelings.

- Accept your feelings: Everyone has something that they’re fearful about, including the burliest guy. Even Superman was afraid of kryptonite! Some common phobias that individuals have include spiders, close spaces, heights, snakes, and even going out in public. One way to lessen the tension is to simply accept it. When the knot in your stomach shows up, merely acknowledging it by saying to yourself: “hello, old friend!” will take away its power. Laughing about your own imperfections gives you back your own power.

- Practice relaxation before the appointment: Alleviate some of your stress by finding a way to relax before the appointment. Do some deep breathing, have a cup of herbal tea, take a brisk walk around the block. Whatever you do, don’t wait till the last minute to drive to your appointment or you’ll pile additional stress on yourself by having to rush. Meditating can be quite helpful, too.

- Medications can help: Some patients choose some sort of sedation dentistry. This may include taking a tranquilizer before the appointment or having the dentist administer a sedative during the procedure. Some options are laughing gas, twilight sleep or full scale anesthesia. If you choose to take a tranquilizer before the appointment, your dental practitioner will often be happy to prescribe a pill or two.

- Importance of regular dental care: Taking care of your teeth and gums will be crucial for your overall wellbeing, as well as your oral health. Untreated dental decay can lead to diabetes complications, premature birth, clogged arteries, heart disease, gingivitis, pain, infections and loss of your teeth. Losing your pearly whites can lead to mental and emotional issues as well. Loss of confidence and drop in self image can have profound implications in a person’s social and business life.

Many people are afraid of their dentist. Individuals who have this fear need to remember that they are not alone. Once a person accepts his or her own feelings, he or she is on the way to regaining power over the trouble. Practicing relaxation techniques and considering dental sedation should prove effective.

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