Fear of the dentist: How to overcome 'dentophobia'

If you have experienced a root canal or had a tooth pulled, visualizing yourself in the dentist’s chair can make you a bit uneasy. You might even come to the conclusion that people loathe dragging themselves to the dentist. 

Don’t worry... you’re not alone

Although most of the people get through this health-care regimen unfazed, the anxiety surprisingly affects about 15% of them. But this fear alone cannot stop you from taking the necessary measures to ensure that your dental health is taken care of.

Why are some people scared of visiting the dentist?

While there are plenty of reasons why people fear going to the dentist, the most common ones are:

• Past experiences— if a patient has had complications in their previous treatment, their brain subconsciously might begin to worry that all the future visits will be like that.
• It will hurt—Most of the people get nervous because of the pain.
• Embarrassment—some patients are ashamed of their teeth or gums thinking that they aren’t in good shape.
• Feelings of loss of control — Not being able to talk or being confined to a chair can evoke feelings similar to claustrophobia.

Is there a possible way for you to relax or emotionally desensitize yourself?

Now that we know the common worries—here are some strategies to tackle them:

• Firstly, be open about your dental phobia to your dentist. Dentists understand that these fears are real. Instead, they’ll work with you to come up with a plan that will help you feel more relaxed during your visit.
• Secondly, have a close friend or family member come with you. Especially those that don’t have any fear about seeing the dentist, they can provide some extra support to help you through your appointment.
• Thirdly, Bring along distractions. Some dentists have televisions. If your dentist doesn’t have this, you still have a plenty of options available. You can bring headphones and a music player so you can listen to music

Having a fear of the dentist shouldn’t stop you from getting the care you need. Instead, try these practices so you can deal with your dental anxiety.

By Javeria Ali Chaudhry