I have come across certain surveys estimating that dental phobia- which is a fear of dental treatment, affects 13% to 24% of people around the world. Remember, you are not alone.
For many people, dental anxiety is disturbing but not disabling. But some are so terrorized at the thought of going to the dentist that they avoid the experience altogether–until the reality of an aching tooth or infection necessitates a visit to the dentist.
We, as dentists always aim at providing you the best dental treatment and aim at making it as painless as possible. Now, with advanced technology, we can render painless treatment and patients, nowadays, feel very comfortable on the dental chair.
In order to help you overcome your dental phobia, we have a few tips for you –
Know that a fear of the dentist is normal-
A visit to the dentist can make us feel very vulnerable. It may feel as if the dentist has all the knowledge, and we can’t really move or speak, and we lose control over what is happening to us.
Anxiety and avoidance are natural, rational and purposeful reactions. The purpose of anxiety is to prevent us from doing things that may harm us (or have harmed us in the past), so right now your anxiety is doing exactly that – keeping you safe and out of harm’s way. Unfortunately, for the vast majority of people, it’s very hard to get by without any professional dental care – which may be why you have arrived on this web page.
What caused your fear of the dentist?
There are many things which can cause people to develop an extreme fear of the dentist, for example:
1. Bad experiences-
Common examples include pain during treatment, painful injections, complications from a procedure, unnecessary treatment, and things being done to you without your consent.
2. Embarrassment-
Embarrassment is also extremely common. Especially if dental phobia has caused you to avoid dentists for a very long time, you may feel that the state of your teeth or mouth is so horrific that showing the damage to a dentist is out of the question. Or you may feel embarrassed about crying, panicking, or making a fool of yourself in front of the dentist or their assistant.
3. Needle phobia-
Unsurprisingly, past experiences of painful dental injections can make people fearful of needles. Or perhaps it is more of just the thought of needles and being pricked that terrifies you.
4. Indirect experiences-
Picking up on parent’s fears about going to the dentist, hearing about someone else’s bad experience, or the negative portrayal of dentists in the media or in movies can all cause dental anxiety.
Make a list of what scares you about the dentist-
You may have very specific dental fears such as a fear of injections, the sound of the drill, having a panic attack while in the chair and so on. Or maybe it’s not so much dental procedures that scare you, but the dentist and their behavior.
Visit the practice-
This is not essential if it feels too daunting. But you may want to visit the practice before scheduling an appointment. You may want to explain that you are very nervous and ask if any of the dentists are particularly good at helping people who are afraid of the dentist.
Note how you are treated by the reception staff – are they warm, friendly and helpful? If you feel up to it, ask if you can be shown around the practice. Or if you like, ask if you can drop in sometime for a brief informal chat with the dentist of your choice. The environment is important – it should be clean and tidy but welcoming.
Schedule an appointment-
Do you like what you’ve seen and heard so far? Then why not schedule an appointment just for a chat.
Top tips for the first visit
Just have a chat, away from the chair.
Be honest about how scared you are. Dentists are not mind readers, and they won’t be able to help if they don’t know.
If you haven’t already done so, share your fears by telling your dentist about them.
How did it go?
If it went well, you’ll probably know by now! If you’re unsure, ask yourself the following questions:
Did the dentist make me feel comfortable?
Did I feel genuinely cared for?
If the answer to any of these is “YES”, you will be sure to feel comfortable with this dentist for any treatment procedure.
What next?
Once you have found a dentist you like, you can work out the next steps together. If you’re not in pain, you may want to start with an easier procedure such as a teeth cleaning and, depending on your needs, work your way up to more complex stuff.
Preparing for your visit
Time of day: The first appointment of the day can be a good choice if you want less time to dwell on it. If you’re not a morning person, either the slot right after the lunch break (so you don’t have a long wait)
Bring a friend: If you like, bring a trusted friend or family member with you.
During your visit
Stop signal: Rule #1: Always agree on a stop signal, such as raising your left hand. Then, test your dentist by trying it out! Having a coping signal (for example, a thumbs up) is also helpful.
Counting: Start off with doing treatment in short bursts of 10 seconds at a time, until you know you’re comfortable and that there’s nothing to fear.
Take a break: Agree with your dentist on taking breaks during treatment. Natural pauses in the flow of the procedure can be used to relax and rest a little. Or if you’re concerned about “freezing” and not being able to give a stop signal, your dentist can approach the treatment in manageable chunks of time (say, a break every 5 minutes).
Explanations and running commentaries: Ask your dentist to explain the procedure to you before it begins. You may also want to ask what sensations and sounds to expect, and how long each part of the procedure will last. Of course, not everyone wants to know exactly what is happening, so let your dentist know your preference!
Touch, see and hear: You may find it helpful to see what tools and materials are going to be used, what they sound like and what they feel like: Tell-Show-Do – It’s not just for children!
Listen to music or watch TV: You may enjoy the radio playing in the background, your dentist offering you a choice of music, or bringing your earphones to listen to music or podcasts on your mobile phone.
Breathing: Breathe deeply and evenly – for example, in for 5 seconds, out for 5 seconds. When breathing in, inhale slowly through your nose while pushing your belly out. Make a conscious effort to relax all the muscles in your body.
Imagine being in a relaxing place, for example, in a beautiful garden or on a beach.
Eyes closed or open: You may find dental treatment easier with your eyes closed, or you may prefer to keep your eyes open. Why not try both and see which you prefer?
Baby steps: Unless you’re in acute pain and need urgent treatment, prove to yourself that you can handle one aspect of your fear before addressing the next. For example, start with a simple procedure such as a cleaning, and work up to more complex treatments.
Celebrate: Have a treat lined up as a reward – a bunch of flowers, a parcel that will be waiting, a special drink, cake for after dinner, a meal out, whatever!
Even if you feel on top of the world just after an appointment, it is not uncommon for the fear to return – especially if there is a long gap between appointments.
Here are some tips:
Always schedule your next appointment before you leave: That way, it’s much easier to stay in the routine of regular visits. We all know how hard it is to pick up the phone to make that call!
Replay positive memories from your visit in your mind: Strengthening positive memories can help with overriding negative ones – it’s like exercising a muscle.
And most of all:
Feel proud of yourself – facing your greatest fear and trying to overcome dental phobia is an incredibly courageous thing to do!
Lastly, every effort will be taken from our end to make sure you have a peaceful and comfortable experience at the dental clinic. Looking forward to see you for your first appointment with us!
