Sometimes in life, you can’t help but be afraid. Whether it’s sleeping with the lights on because of fear of the dark, staying on dry land over apprehension about sharks in the ocean, or even neglecting to visit the dentist due to dentophobia, your fears can sometimes cause you to change your behaviors in ways that diminish your quality of life.
But if you can understand what’s behind those behaviors, you can sometimes overcome them. If you suffer from dentophobia (the fear of dentists), here are a few reasons why you might be scared, and what you can do about it.
Common Dental Fears
When you ask someone who is afraid to go to the dentist why they are scared, they may not be able to give you an answer right away. Often, there’s no one specific reason, or if there is they may not be able to pinpoint it immediately. But generally speaking, many fears revolve around a few common themes:
- The fear of dental tools like picks or drills
- The fear of the sensation of having your teeth scraped by a pick
- The fear of needing a painful procedure
- The fear of a painful cleaning
- The fear of seeing blood or bleeding
- The fear of someone else’s hands in your mouth
- The fear of a large bill
These can be based on personal experience, or they can be imagined or based upon other people’s accounts of a procedure.
Overcoming Dental Fears
While it is especially common for young children to have a bit of dental anxiety, this is usually overcome with age and positive experiences at the dentist. However, should those fears linger or worsen into adulthood, there are still ways to help overcome them so you can have a successful experience. Here are a few ideas to help you relax during your next dental appointment:
- Bring a weighted blanket
- Meditate
- Practice deep breathing
- Diffuse essential oils with relaxing properties
- Distraction such as from a video or music
- Sedation dentistry (nitrous oxide or oral sedation)
It can also be helpful to speak to your dentist before the start of your appointment and let them know how you are feeling. If there is anything they can do to make your visit easier mention it at this time. You can suggest things like:
- Asking them to check in with you throughout the appointment to make sure you’re doing okay
- Asking them to go slowly
- Arranging a signal such as raising your hand if you need a break
The Real Dangers of Dentophobia
While being afraid of the dentist is often more of an emotional response than a practical one, there are real life risks associated with skipping your semi-annual exams. Not only will your teeth not be as clean as they could be, but you can also easily miss the early signs of cavities, gum disease, tooth infection, and oral cancer.
Left untreated, these issues can worsen with time, making them more painful and intervention more costly. What could have been a small filling may turn into a crown or root canal, and a mild case of gingivitis could evolve into periodontal disease that requires gum grafting without you ever realizing there was a problem in the first place.
This is why it’s so important to address your dental fears and work to overcome them. But you don’t have to do it alone. Your dentist is there to help. If you’re afraid of the dentist, speak to your dental team about scheduling an appointment for sedation dentistry. Don’t let your fears hold you back from protecting your oral health.
About Our Practice
At River Station Family Dentistry, your comfort is our priority. That’s why we offer both nitrous oxide and oral sedation options to our patients with dental anxiety. We take the time to get to know each of our patients on a personal level, and we truly customize our care to best suit your individual needs. If you’re anxious about treatment, we’re here to help.
To learn more about your sedation dentistry options and make an appointment, please visit our website or call us at 802-347-9608.