A dreaded face towering over you with its large magnifying glasses feels so cold and clinical? Yes, we are referring to none other than Dentist office, where merely the thought of sitting in that dental seat and the dentist approaching us is sufficient to set the heart pumping. This very situation is defined as the fear of dentists or having dental work done. It is also known as odontophobia, which is more closely associated with a fear of teeth.
There can be a lot of reasons for Dentophobia. Here are the most common ones:
- A bad Dental experience as a child.
- PRE- Existing Anxiety related issues that’s not even dental related may be causing their dental phobia.
- Lack of control, where some people don’t like the idea of lying back and not being able to see what is happening.
- Most people are scared of visiting a dentist because they worry that they have cavities that will require drilling.
HOW TO OVERCOME DENTOPHOBIA
Here are some steps that one can take:
- You can visit your Dentist just for a “pre-treatment conditioning”. The goal of this meeting is to become comfortable and speak with your dentist and develop a rapport.
- When a dental hygienist is cleaning your teeth, it can be uncomfortable. You can let the hygienist know that if it becomes painful, he should stop. Knowing that they will stop anytime will ease you up.
- You can ask what tools they are using, what it’s being used for, and what you can expect to feel, so that you are at ease.
- One of the greatest fears is associated with seeing the needles. One can ask for them to be kept out of your eyesight and to be given warning before it is used.
- If you take proper Dental care, you can lessen the number of times you need to see a dentist. Flossing regularly is also extremely helpful.
- Lastly, choose a professional dentist for yourself. They will go that extra mile to make sure you are comfortable.
