Dental Phobia and Dental Anxiety
Written by BUDS | July 20 | 2 minutes read
Nervous Patients
Teeth play an important part in physical appearance. If you have unsightly teeth or you haven't taken care of them properly, it can lead to problems with your confidence and self-esteem.
Few people enjoy going to the dentist. From sweaty palms and dizziness to patients that physically become sick, the thought of going to the dentist can bring on fear so intense that many people avoid getting needed dental care.
It is important to see a dentist regularly so we can assess and deal with problems before they become large problems and become painful, irreversible or expensive. With modern dentistry, there are many techniques and methods that we use to help overcome your anxieties and make your dental experience comfortable and even fun!
Fearful of the dentist?
There are several reasons why people are phobic about visiting the dentist. It may be something as simple as the clinical smell of a dentist that puts people off or a previous bad experience that has scarred someone for life. These are the mostly common reasons we see at :
- Previous unfortunate experience – you may have had a traumatizing experience in the past. This may be due to a painful procedure, fear of pain, fear of dental instruments, needles, the drill, etc.
- Unsympathetic dentists – you may have had an experience with a dentist who was not sympathetic to your needs and concerns, and this has put you off going back to see a dentist.
- Embarrassment and loss of personal space – Many people feel uncomfortable about the physical closeness of the dentist or hygienist to their face. Others may feel self-conscious about the appearance of their teeth or possible mouth odors.
- It may simply be a fear of the unknown.
How To Overcome?
The first step you can make in overcoming this fear is to recognise it and know that something can be done about it. There are several ways in which many dentists will try to help you overcome your anxieties, and many things that you yourself can do. These include:
- Share your anxiety – If you're tense or anxious, it's often best to tell your dentist and the dental staff. Getting your concerns out in the open will let your dentist adapt the treatment to your needs.
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- Procedures involved – often something as simple as your dentist explaining how the procedure will be carried out step by step in a non-technical way, or giving you the opportunity to ask questions, you will then know exactly
- Open and honest - be open with your dentist if you feel embarrassed about the condition of your teeth or your lack of previous dental care. The important thing is that you’re taking a step in the right direction to resolve the issue.
- Pain-free injection technique – before giving an injection, your dentist can apply a numbing gel (topical anaesthetic) to your gums. Giving the injection slowly reduces the pressure and causes less pain.
General Anaesthesia – Should all the above fails, you have the option of having your treatment carried out under GA in the comfort of an established private hospital.
