‘Dentophobia’ or fear of the dentist is extremely common. In fact, almost 75% of people have experienced some fear of dental treatment in their lives.
The range of severity is vast and is often caused by earlier bad experiences, childhood experiences, horror stories from other people, fear of dental tools and their sounds, or fear of medical settings, equipment, and procedures.
These fears can lead to various symptoms and often result in people trying to avoid visiting the dentist altogether!
The main reason dentists recommend a 6-monthly check up is to keep your mouth healthy and prevent any problems with your teeth or gums. Problems that are found sooner rather than later can be rectified quickly before they become painful, harder to treat and start to affect your day-to-day life.
Therefore, visiting your dentist regularly and maintaining good oral hygiene habits, especially if you are nervous, is the best way of avoiding more invasive and lengthy treatment in the future.
To help combat your fears, we have put together a list of tips and tricks for you to try ready for your next appointment and why registering with The Private Dental Centre is the first step to alleviating your fears.
1. Find the right dentist – register with The Private Dental Centre!
We have over 20 years’ experience helping anxious patients and do our utmost to ensure your visit and treatment are as painless and stress-free as possible. We strive to create a welcoming and homely environment that won’t remind you of a typical dental practice.
Our dentists and therapists will listen to you and work with you to help reduce anxiety.
2. Understand and research your fears.
Reading about and researching your fear can be fantastic way to understand more about your feelings and how you might be able to tackle them. The internet is filled with helpful advice and information on how to get support.
3. Communicate your fears to your dentist.
Tell your dental surgery and dentist about your fears so they can be prepared for your visit and help you to relax.
Don’t be afraid to ask your dentist lots of questions about what will happen during your appointment if it helps to alleviate your fears.
They may also have some different suggestions on how to combat your fears and can also discuss further options with you such as sedation.
4. Book an early appointment.
Booking an early appointment, not long after the practice has opened has many benefits. Firstly, you won’t have to spend the day allowing your anxiety to build up before your appointment. Secondly, at that time of the day, the practice is likely to be less busy and noisy which should help you to feel calmer.
5. Have something to eat and drink before your appointment.
Fainting and nausea are common symptoms of fearing the dentist. Staying hydrated and having a meal or snack before your appointment can help you feel less anxious – although try to avoid sugary snacks and caffeine!
6. Explore and practice relaxation techniques.
Simple breathing exercises, meditation or mindfulness are all things you can try at no expense and can be used effectively to slow down your body and calm the mind before and during your treatment.
7. Use distractions.
Don’t be afraid of using distractions to help to take your mind off things. Listening to music, an audiobook or watching an episode of your favourite TV show are common distraction techniques. You could also try counting backwards, reciting a poem or the lyrics to a song – in your head of course!
8. Bring a friend.
A friend or family member who isn’t scared of the dentist can be an excellent companion for your appointment. They can offer support and distraction where necessary to help you feel more at ease.
9. Seek professional help.
If you have tried every trick in the book to no avail, there are several other strategies you could try including counselling with a professional who specialises in phobias or holistic therapies such as acupuncture, homeopathy, or hypnotherapy.
10. Introduce children to the dentist as soon as possible.
It’s important to show children that visiting the dentist isn’t something to be feared or a chore. Visiting your dentist regularly from an early age will help children achieve good oral health and help to prevent any future anxiety about visiting the dentist.
If you would like to speak to a member of our team about joining The Private Dental Centre and how we can help you manage your fear of the dentist, please call us on 01205 352892.