Fear is an incredibly powerful emotion. It can overwhelm confidence and throw out logic and reasoning, leading you to avoid things you may know are good for you. One common fear for many people is going to the dentist or getting dental work done because of the anticipated pain, loss of control, needles, and even the office environment itself.
Even if you grasp the proven, impressive benefits of working with a dentist regularly, you may still hesitate to have these visits and receive necessary treatment, but why? What can cause or exacerbate this fear? How can you overcome your fear and have a strong smile? Read on to find out!
Bad Personal Experiences in the Past
Just as childhood trauma from school or home can affect you as an adult, unfortunately, if you’ve had a poor experience before, it can deter you from going in again for fear of a repeat performance. Especially if the patient has undergone intensive treatment or had treatment a long time before, they may remember mainly the unpleasant parts.
Scary Stories from Others
You don’t have to sit around a campfire or be in the Halloween season to get frightened by a scary story. Your friends or family may share their experiences—perhaps with a few embellishments here and there—that make you worry about your own future visits and treatment.
Sensitivity to Stimuli
Whether you have a diagnosed neurodiverse condition or not, you may be extra sensitive to certain sounds, smells, or having a bright light on your face. Unfortunately, dental offices are full of unique, strong sensations that can be uncomfortable to some and intolerable to others.
Mental Illness (Anxiety)
If you already struggle with anxiety in general, going to the dentist can add to the pile of things you worry about. You can envision the worse-case scenario or the many ways the appointment or procedure can go wrong. In addition, you can even have physiological symptoms like digestive distress, physical pain, or emotional reactions as a result of your mental illness.
Going to the Dentist Even If You’re Afraid
Many poets and authors have written different versions of the same message: courage doesn’t mean you don’t feel fear, but it means you face it anyway. The good news is that you and your dentist have ways to make these appointments much less frightening:
- Technology and techniques have vastly improved over the years. In fact, some dentists use devices like DentalVibe that make the needles for anesthetic injections pain free.
- In addition to local anesthetic, which has also gotten more effective recently, your dentist may offer sedation options. Nitrous oxide comes in handy for those who have mild anxiety in the chair or who are undergoing short treatment, like a professional cleaning. For more serious cases of dental phobia or for longer or multiple treatments, IV sedation can eliminate worries and even take away memories of the whole appointment, leaving you feeling peaceful and smiling.
- Many dentists these days are more aware of and accommodate for people’s fears and sensitivity, and they purposefully design their offices to be as comfortable and calming as possible.
- If you work with a mental health professional, talk about relaxation techniques you can practice before and during dental visits.
These days, you don’t have to feel shame for being afraid of the dentist. Millions of other people are too! Dentists also understand this fear and want to make your visits better so that you can enjoy the countless advantages a healthy smile can give you.
About the Author
Dr. John White has patient comfort and positive experiences as a priority in his Asheville practice. He uses the latest technology like DentalVibe and offers nitrous oxide and IV sedation to relieve stress and make patients’ time in the chair as pleasant as possible. If you would like to take advantage of accommodation at your next dental visit with Dr. White, contact the office online here or call 828-684-3020.