It has
been estimated that 9% to 15% of Americans avoid seeing the dentist because of
anxiety and fear. That's about 30 to 40 million people. In a survey by the
British Dental Health Foundation, 36% of those who didn't see a dentist
regularly said that fear was the main reason. Some common reasons for dental
phobia and anxiety are:
- Pain- there are many causes of dental anxiety and phobia. Many people are scared of the pain that they might encounter at the dentist.
- Feelings of helplessness and loss of control- When you’re in the dental chair, you have to stay still. This may make you feel like you can't see what's going on or predict what's going to hurt. It's common for people to feel helpless and out of control, which may trigger anxiety.
- Embarrassment- People may feel ashamed or embarrassed to have a stranger poking around in their mouth, or they may be self-conscious about how their teeth look.
- Negative Past Experiences- anyone who has had pain or discomfort during previous dental procedures is likely to be more anxious the next time around.
Here’s why you shouldn’t fear the dentist:
We’re Here
to Help
We’re not here to hurt you! When you come visit us, our main goal is
to help you achieve overall oral health and make sure that the proper
procedures are being performed so that you can have a healthier mouth, gums,
and teeth. Going to the dentist means you are entrusting your oral health to a
professional.
Regular
Dental Visits are a Necessary and Vital Part of Maintaining Your Overall Health
It’s recommended that you visit a dentist twice a year, or every 6
months. If you’re scared of the dentist, odds are your visits will be much less
frequent. It’s important to overcome that fear because regular dental check-ups
play an integral part in maintaining not only your oral health, but also your
overall health. Regular dental visits prevent the build-up of plague and
prevent things like tooth aches, cavities, bad breath, and many other oral and
health issues. Break the fear and do what’s right for your teeth and your body!
It Could All Be In Your Head
Dental phobias and anxiety stem from a variety
of things. From a psychological standpoint, this fear could result in a
“conditioned” response. Perhaps you had a bad experience when you were a child
so now every time you have to go to the dentist, you experience anxiety. Dental
anxiety or fear of the dentist usually prevents people from optimizing and
maintaining their dental health. To overcome this, identify the issue that is
causing your anxiety and address it with your dentist. A good relationship between you and your
dentist, with good communication, is the key factor in overcoming dental anxiety.
You should feel comfortable discussing anxieties with your dentist and should
be confident that he or she will do everything possible to reduce your anxiety.
