Fear of the dentist
WHAT IS FEAR OF DENTISTS?
Fear of the dentist or more precisely the fear of the dental procedure will be recognized by many people regardless of age, gender, education, social status, profession etc. The fear of dentists affects men, women and children regardless of age.
Fear of the dentist can affect your oral health and thus your overall quality of life. The most common fears are fear of pain, fear of a needle or the sound of a drill, a bad experience from the past, a feeling of losing control, a sense of shame due to the condition in the mouth, worrying about the cost of the procedure and so on.
Nowadays, fortunately, a visit to the dentist is completely painless because all dental work today is done under local anesthesia, so that the patient feels comfortable during the procedure and does not feel any pain. Find a good dentist with whom you will build trust through conversation and who will understand your fear and help you overcome it!
“Even more then 75% of people in the world have some form of fear or phobia of dentists. In his fears, the patient is absolutely not alone. In recent years, more and more attention has been paid to this problem, and today it is possible to get quality and professional help.
In order to avoid such fear, it is recommended to visit the dentist regularly even before the need for any dental procedure ”
HOW TO PREVENT FEAR OF THE DENTIST?
Bad experiences are the most common reason why people are afraid of dentists. To prevent the onset of fear of dentists, it is first necessary to find a trusted dentist who understands the concerns and fears of patients, and who will be willing to listen to any problems, patient experiences, and perhaps their trauma with previous dentists. Such a dentist must have a lot of understanding for the patient’s fear and discomfort and must have a lot of knowledge to deal with such patients.
HOW TO OVERCOME FEAR OF THE DENTIST?
Fear can be overcome, but it is very important to be aware of it and choose the right dentist who suits you and makes you calm, so the visit itself is more pleasant than stressful. Not all dentists are equally successful in working with such patients, but in our clinic there is a team of experts who have extensive experience in working with patients who have fear or phobia. They are the ones who understand you and accordingly make a treatment plan that makes it easier for you to come to the dentist.
There are three methods to treat fear of dentists:
Psychological: refers primarily to the behavior and manner of work of the dentist, communication and other relaxation techniques that the dentist can use to overcome fear in the patient
Technological: implies technological inventions and achievements that make dental procedures simpler, shorter and less painful
Sedation: involves the use of medication to relax the patient
“Fear of the dentist is a reaction to a familiar and unpleasant experience that has happened to the patient once before and he thinks that this negative dental experience will happen again.”
WHAT ARE COMMON FEARS OF THE DENTIST
Fear of dentists can have various causes, and are very common:
- shame for teeth that are in poor condition
- lack of control and information during the procedure
- odors of the office and medicines
- sounds of dental equipment
- pain during procedure
- shame from unpleasant situations – tears, trembling, etc.
In some patients, it is possible that they will lose control of their reactions as soon as they pass through the clinic door. Nervousness in patients is quite normal, as is acceleration, sweating or tears. These are all reactions that most dentists encounter on a daily basis. A good dentist will know how to give the right words to the patient, calm him down and gain his trust. Communication is the key to success in this case too!
Here are some tips to help you overcome your fear of the dentist:
- Identify your fear and when you become aware of exactly what you are afraid of, you can start working on a solution.
- Choose a dentist who listens to you, respects your fears and with whom you feel comfortable.
- When scheduling an appointment, emphasize your concerns and ask that the first appointment be just an examination and a conversation with the dentist
- Take someone with you, a friend or family member, someone you trust and who is not afraid.
- Familiarize yourself with the apparatus and instruments used by the dentist.
- Ask your dentist to often explain what will happen next during the procedure.
- Take a break when you need it.
- Try some breathing, meditation, or relaxation techniques.
If the fear of the dentist turns into a phobia, seek professional help from a psychologist.
When you overcome the fear of the dentist or complete a particular dental treatment, reward yourself!