Are You Terrified of the Dentist?
Are you hiding your mouth behind your hand when you smile or laugh?
Do you avoid looking people in the face when you speak to them because your breath is so bad?
Are you terrified of the person in the white coat who is asking you to open wide?
If so, you are not alone. According to the US Surgeon General’s oral health report, nearly 50% of Americans avoid going to the dentist! When you realize the population of the United States numbers in the hundreds of millions, you see that a great number of people have the exact same dental anxiety that you suffer.
There is even a name for this kind of fear – Odontophobia – extreme fear of the dentist. The good news is there are kind and caring dentists armed with the latest treatment options and psychological support staff that can provide you with anxiety free and pain free dental care and finally cure you of your dental fear.
Causes of Dental Anxiety
The number one reason people avoid seeing the dentist is because of fear or anxiety. This is generally because of a traumatic experience with a dental practitioner when you were a child. Perhaps you needed fillings in an upper tooth and the dentist had to give you shots in the roof of your mouth. Or maybe your dentist was just verbally mean or cold.Whatever happened in your case it has left you with an intense case of dental anxiety.
You could also be in the category of people who simply fear many forms of medical practice. Needles, drills and other dental equipment may make you feel faint just at the thought.
Dental fear can be linked to any number of causes including a sensitive gag reflex, fear of pain, horror stories (real and imagined) and a host of other situations. The bottom line is, you are scared and it would take a team of mules to drag you into the dentist’s office!
Results of Dental Fear
Dental fear often leads to bad teeth, which can cause pain and embarrassment, which you probably already knew. However, did you know that leaving your teeth unattended could actually lead to more severe medical problems and in some cases even premature death?
Common oral diseases such as gingivitis and periodontal disease can actually affect your heart. It is not entirely clear what the connection is but the American Heart Association has speculated that inflammation in your gums and around the teeth can lead to inflammation of the heart and increased plaque buildup in your arteries.
Even if your overall health has yet to be affected, dental fear can lead to bad breath, broken or missing teeth and pain like you never imagined. Many people who have suffered toothaches will tell you the pain is the worst they have ever felt in their life! Do not let your dental anxiety lead you down this path to pain and embarrassment; it simply is not worth it.
Sedation Dentistry
If you are able to conquer your nerves on your own to make a dental appointment, you will be glad to know that there is something available today called sedation dentistry.
In days past, sedation had to be done through intravenous methods and was just as dangerous as anesthesia for surgery.
Today, however, you can take a medication before your visit that will leave you calm and relaxed.And when it is all over, you will remember little if anything about the dental visit. The problem is you need to conquer your dental anxiety enough to get to the office in the first place.
Techniques to Conquer Fear
The first thing you will want to do is find a dentist that is sensitive to your dental fear. Call around and be upfront about how you feel, there is little point in hiding the fact that you are scared. Talk to the receptionist about your fear and inquire about the dentist’s record of accomplishment with anxiety-ridden patients.
One simple way you can determine the dentist’s skill in this area is to schedule a consultation visit. This will be an appointment where the most intense thing you do is have x-rays taken; you will soon find out if you are a good match with the dentist and his or her staff.
While in the office, be open with the dentist about your dental anxiety and inquire about the techniques they can use. For example, many dentists use the sedation dentistry medication listed above, others offer painless injections by providing you with a topical anesthetic before giving you a shot. Technology has come a long way in the past few years and you might be surprised at just how enjoyable a dentist visit could be.
You may suffer such severe dental anxiety that you need more intense help to overcome it and receive the dental care you need. Some people find health coaching or counseling to be very beneficial for overcoming all kinds of fear and anxiety, including the type that comes from a visit to the dentist’s office.
Over the last few years, there have been remarkable advancements made in our ability to control anxiety and fear. If you are unable to conquer your fear on your own, you should definitely explore these new techniques.
Conclusion
Avoiding the dentist can cost you much more than your smile. Bacteria building up in your mouth can lead to further medical problems, up to and including heart disease. You do not want to let your dental anxiety lead you to an early grave, especially since there are so many ways to make your dental visit more pleasant.
Even if you are not concerned with the overall health risks, poor oral health can be embarrassing. Broken, yellow or rotting teeth are not something you want to show off, and many people wind up avoiding many social situations because of them.
It is time for you to overcome your dental fear and fix these problems before irreversible damage is done. Your fear is real, but it does not have to rule your life, there are many options in dentistry today that were not available just a few years ago. Take back your confidence and smile today!
