About 20 percent of patients simply dread visiting the dentist, according to WebMD. As sad as this makes us (because we love helping our patients so much!), we understand.
For many of these people, their fears stem from one or more of these difficult and very real feelings and experiences that may include:
- Fear of getting hurt
- Worries and anxiety about costs
- Unpleasant previous experiences
- Feelings of helplessness or a loss of control
- Feelings of embarrassment about your dental health
But avoiding the dentist is never a good option. In fact, it usually ends up meaning more dental work, not less. Leaving your dental health unchecked may have severe consequences on not just your oral health, but also on your general health. So, how can you put your dental anxiety behind and start seeing your dentist regularly without fear or worries?
1. Look your fear in the face
You have to identify your fears so you can find a solution. Having an understanding of where the fear is coming from will help you know how to go about finding the solution.
2. Choose a dentist you’re comfortable with
Having someone you feel comfortable with can help you reduce or completely overcome your fears.
3. Visit the dentist with someone
Having someone accompany you on your dental visits can help you ease your fears as well. For some people, going with a friend can be quite comforting.
4. Understand what to expect
Some patients find great relief in getting the dentist to explain everything before they start. You may ask your dentist for help with this so you can get a good understanding of every step involved in your procedure.
5. Sedation may help
There’s nothing wrong with asking the dentist if sedation may be necessary or just helpful for you. This is more reason you need to work with a dentist you’re completely comfortable with.
Bottom Line
If these steps don’t help, you may try to seek professional help to overcome your fears.
It also helps to discuss this with a dentist you’d like to work with. Perhaps their knowledge of your fears can help them find ways to make you feel more comfortable and relaxed.
You shouldn’t allow your fear of dentists to continue to affect your quality of life. The earlier you confront these fears, the better. We would love to help you overcome your fears. We take dental anxiety very seriously. For more information on how we can help you, call us today at 425-366-8246.
