Who’s Afraid Of The Dentist?
Dentophobia is a common fear. Whether you’re uncomfortable with the lack of personal space and control during the appointment, you don’t want to experience pain, or you’ve had an unpleasant experience, we understand. However, if your fear is preventing you from seeing us, it could lead to an overall decline in your dental health. We certainly don’t want that. To keep your mouth in the best condition, we highly recommend talking to us about your fear.
Keep reading to learn how we can help!
Why People Fear the Dentist
Patients are afraid of the dentist for many reasons. Understanding the root of these fears is the first key step in confronting them. The top two reasons patients dislike the dentist are:
- Fear of Pain: Pain is probably the most commonly cited fear when it comes to getting dental work done. Dentists get an unfair reputation in pop culture as merchants of pain. There’s even a famously catchy song about it. The truth is, dentists try to be as gentle as possible, and there are advancements every day in gentle dentistry.
Often, the oral health issues that spring from poor dental hygiene are a far greater source of pain than the treatment the dentist recommends. For example, inadequate brushing and flossing will lead to gum disease, tooth decay, and other painful problems. Visiting the dentist is the only way to permanently relieve that pain.
- Lack of Control & Personal Space: Dentists have to be very up close and personal for even the most routine of procedures. It can feel very overwhelming to have someone so close. That, plus all the sounds and smells of the office, can trigger a sense of vulnerability and provoke fear. To combat this issue, dentists do their best to communicate before, during, and after any procedure to help you feel comfortable.
How to Deal with the Fear
The best way to deal with your fear is to have an open and honest conversation with your dentist. Letting us know your feelings ahead of time will help guide our treatment decisions. Our dentists will always communicate with you as clearly as possible, warning you in instances where a procedure might cause momentary discomfort.
At the beginning of your appointment, we’re happy to tell you exactly what the dentist will do and what that entails. You may find that your fears are significantly reduced once you understand what will happen during your visit. You can also establish a signal with your dentist to stop if things become overwhelming. We also encourage you to bring headphones so you can listen to calming music or an audiobook to take your mind off the visit.
We Can Help!
Whatever your reason for fearing the dentist, we want to work with you to ease your fear. Ask us about sedation options, including nitrous oxide (laughing gas) and oral conscious sedation, to keep you relaxed during your visit. Sedation dentistry is an excellent option if you want to improve your oral health but are too anxious or fearful to sit through dental treatment. We use sedation every day to help our patients get the care they deserve.
Good dental health and wellbeing include regular visits to the dentist, so anything we can do to make your appointments comfortable is worth it in our book. If you have questions or need to schedule an appointment, call our office located in Cincinnati, OH. We’re here for you!
