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Dentophobia: How To Get Over The Fear Of The Dentist

Do you get nervous when you go to the dentist? You’re not alone, so don’t worry. If you don’t go to the dentist regularly, dental checkups might be frightening because you don’t know what to expect. One thing to keep in mind is that it is a regular occurrence among many individuals, not just you!

Dentophobia can be uncontrollable at times. The risk of skipping dental appointments is that your oral health will suffer as a result. If your teeth are in bad shape and you are unable to attend the dentist’s despite your desire, you may become even more concerned.

Understanding Dentophobia

Dentophobia is a specific type of irrational fear of the dentist. The issue with dentophobia is that not many who suffer it understand what they do. This can significantly impact your oral health because it’s likely that you don’t want to visit the dentist due to uncertainty. 

What Are The Causes of Dentophobia?

Dentophobia comes to form as a result of either a traumatic experience from a previous visit to the dentist, or you may have been told stories of patients who’ve had problems at the dentist, and this has formed a perception of what visiting the dentist is like, leading to increased anxiety when it’s your turn to visit the dentist. The fear of the dentist escalates if it’s your first visit. Therefore, you’d naturally do all you can to visit the dentist.

Genetics may also form a part of dentophobia. A previous experience can be passed down genetically from your parents. Long-term anxiety can be passed down, which can impact the mental stability of a patient. This can naturally make you feel anxious when you visit a dental environment.

How Do I Get Over Dentophobia? 

Modern dentistry means that visiting the dentist is for everyone, which also includes anxious patients. There is a technique for everybody. Some may take different amounts of time. 

Here are several ways you can get over dentophobia:

  • Sleep Dentistry – Most dental practices are licensed to provide sleep dentistry to a patient. Sleep dentistry is a form of treatment that makes you feel consciously relaxed with mild to moderate sedation, meaning you will become consciously relaxed throughout the treatment with a chance you may not even remember what happened. 
  • Talk To The Dentist – The dentist’s prerogative is not only to ensure your teeth and gums remain strong for the long-term but also that any concerns and anxieties you may have are dealt with, with the right support and care. Ask any questions regarding your treatment and how the dentist can make you feel safe and comfortable.
  • Speak To A Mental Health Professional – Yes, speaking to a mental health professional can help you talk through your anxieties. A professional can also teach you how to manage and work through your fears as well.
  • Meditation – Meditation before your visit can help provide clarity to your mind and help you feel calmer as a preparation technique. This will help you gain clarity and feel ready to step into the dentist with a calm mind. 
  • Distract Yourself – If your mind is full of dental anxieties, a helpful technique is to distract your mind through music or thinking about happier times. Think anything apart from any fearful dental thoughts. 

Dentophobia naturally impacts your dental health because it is typically recommended that you visit the dentist twice a year for a check-up. Understanding your teeth and gums mainly comes from visits to the dentist, and it’s important to over your anxieties in the event of experiencing any dental issues which can cause severe problems in the future. Follow these techniques to help but especially by making the dentist aware of your fears of the dentist so that they can help you. If you need any dental help, get in touch with our experienced Wollongong dentists and Fairy Meadow Dentists today!

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