How To Stop

DREADING THE DENTIST

D oyou baulk at the idea of visiting the dentist? Oral health care professionals say mild anxiety is common among patients, and is even expected. However, statistics on dental anxiety are alarming, to say the least. It’s estimated that approximately one in seven adults have high levels of anxiety about a visit to their dentist, and the problem affects more women than men. Those who suffer from a dental phobia – known as dentophobia – frequently avoid visiting the dentist for years. It is not surprising then that this type of avoidance can lead to the destruction of not only a person’s oral health, but their overall health and wellbeing.

Gaining an insight into the reasons why you fear the dentist can help you overcome your angst.

We spoke to dentist Dr Steven Shapiro who explained the seven most common causes of dentophobia.

1. FEAR OF PAIN

A lot of people experience dental anxiety due to a fear of pain, even though most dental procedures are painless. For some patients, the fear comes from a bad dental experience that they had when they were children, or from horror stories of pain that they have internalised from other people in their lives.

2. NEGATIVE EXPERIENCES WITH DENTISTS

The most common cause of dental phobia is generally caused by a negative experience that occurred in childhood, such as a painful procedure or an unpleasant attitude from an oral health care provider. This has the potential to scar you for a very long time, and lead a person to assume that all future dental visits will be unpleasant and so therefore they avoid the chair.

3. EMBARRASSMENT

Some patients may feel ashamed about the state of their oral health or hygiene due to the fact that they have badly injured or rotting teeth. If they believe they have bad breath, they may be self-conscious, and talking about the state of their teeth may cause them to be embarrassed and result in anxiety about seeing a dentist. The good news is that seasoned dentists have training to deal with all types of oral health issues and won’t be shocked at the state of your teeth.

4. PERSONAL SPACE

There are many people who are uncomfortable with people encroaching on their personal space. They may also not be comfortable with someone placing instruments into their mouth or poking around inside their mouth.

5. SIDE EFFECTS OF ANAESTHESIA

Most people have seen the side effects of anaesthesia from personal experience or online videos. The patient may feel nauseous, dizzy or have localised numbness when the procedure is over. Nonetheless, these side effects usually resolve quickly.

6. LOSS OF CONTROL

Some people feel a loss of control while seated in the dentist’s chair. And no wonder. We are made to lean back with our mouths wide open and can’t see what is happening. Fortunately, you can reduce some of this stress by asking your dentist to explain the procedure beforehand, so there are no little surprises. These

days many dentists have computer screens to explain procedures as they go along or televisions on the ceiling to distract patients. You can also take along a headset to listen to soothing music or a podcast.

7. FEAR OF INJECTIONS

Many people are afraid of needles, especially when they are injected into their mouths, while others are sometimes afraid that the anaesthesia will not do its job and that the procedure will be unbearably painful. Remember that the dentist will be trying to make the procedure as painless as possible. You can also ask them to use a topical anaesthetic (numbing cream) first.

HOW TO OVERCOME YOUR FEAR OF THE DENTIST

The good news is that more and more dentists understand the fears their patients go through, so the first step to getting rid of your phobia is to book an appointment.

So that it is over and done with as soon as possible and you don’t spend the whole day worrying, book an early morning appointment. If you’re able to, bring a friend or relative for moral support.

Let your dentist know what it is you’re feeling worried about. To ensure that you’re comfortable throughout the procedure, explain that you would like to feel in control of the situation.