You strongly dislike visiting the dentist. The idea alone causes you to feel nervous and maybe even sick to your stomach. These feelings are not uncommon. In fact, many individuals experience some form of dental anxiety – a culprit that unfortunately causes people to neglect their oral health. So, what causes dental phobias to develop? To better understand why this happens, a local dentist shares what can occur and how to manage it to maintain a healthier smile.
What Are the Most Common Reasons People Avoid the Dentist?
When suffering from a dental phobia, one of the following reasons likely is to blame:
- Negative Experience – In the past, you may have visited a dentist who did not treat you kindly or caused you much pain during your visit.
- Loss of Control – Because visiting the dentist requires you to sit in a chair and let someone else do the work, you may not enjoy being confined to this situation.
- Sitting Still – Whether it is a dental checkup or a more invasive treatment, you will be required to sit still for a prolonged period. This can be highly uncomfortable, especially for those with health or medical conditions (i.e., back pain).
- General Anxiety – You may feel anxious about visiting the dentist because you worry that it will cause pain, or you cannot handle the sights, smells, and sounds that occur inside the office.
Both children and adults can suffer from dental phobias, but it is knowing how to work through it to ensure that everyone remains calm and collected.
How Can I Combat My Dental Phobia?
No matter the reason for your phobia, there are ways to combat it. Knowing that you need to do something about it so that you can achieve a healthier smile is the first step. From there, your dentist may recommend sedation dentistry.
Offered in various forms, oral conscious sedation is quite common, as it requires no needles and often leaves patients having no memory of their visit. All it requires is that you take a prescribed pill before your appointment. In no time at all, you will feel relaxed, euphoric, and completely at ease.
Other methods to get your dental phobia under control include:
- Breathing exercises
- Meditation
- Establishing a signal or sign with your dentist should you feel you need a break
- Listening to music or watching television
Once you identify ways to manage your dental phobia, you will find that it becomes easier over time to visit your dentist without worry.
About the Author
Dr. John Ludu and his team at Devoted Family Dental are here to save smiles. When helping patients who struggle with dental phobias, he strives to offer valuable solutions that prove highly beneficial. This can include oral conscious sedation. Offering this method of treatment to patients who suffer from dental anxiety helps to calm nerves and allows for better oral healthcare. Contact us at (623) 444-6222 to learn how we can help.