4 Common Reasons People Have Dental Fear (and Not Just During Halloween!)
There are plenty of reasons to be scared this October, especially if you’ve been watching spooky Halloween movies in the dark to celebrate the season. However, there’s one fear that many people have that isn’t confined to October, and that’s dental fear. If you feel clammy, nervous, and anxious at the thought of visiting them for a checkup and cleaning or treatment, it could be the one thing that stands in the way of you and a healthy smile. Read on to learn four of the most common reasons people are scared of visiting their dentist.
The Possibility of Pain
Sometimes, even though a person has never experienced pain at the dentist’s office before, they’re still scared of that happening. There are plenty of common, horrifying myths about how much dental treatments, like root canals hurt. While this may have been the case during Medieval dental times, it’s definitely not the case now. If you’re scared of pain, todays dentists not only administer anesthesia before conducting more invasive treatments to make sure you don’t feel an ounce of pain, but they also offer several different methods, like nitrous oxide, to help you feel relaxed.
Perceived Loss of Control
Having somebody so close to your mouth is something that you definitely don’t experience every day. That’s why many people feel so uncomfortable or nervous at the thought of visiting their dentist. In addition, you have to make yourself vulnerable when you lean back in the treatment chair and place your trust in your dental professional. In these situations, your dental team can help accommodate you by adjusting the chair or giving you a little extra support to help you feel ore comfortable.
Bad Family History of Dental Problems
If your family has a notoriously anxiety-inducing story about an uncle’s tooth extraction gone bad or every time you visit the dentist you always seem to get bad news about your oral health, it makes sense that you’re so hesitant to step foot in your dentist’s office. All it takes is one “horror-story” to make you feel scared or anxious about your dental practice. To help combat this, try to build a trusting and open relationship with them, and ask them to always keep you in-the-loop about what to expect during treatments.Too Many Noises, Smells, & Sounds
As soon as you step foot through the practice doors, you’ll deal with an onslaught of new smells, noises, and sights that you very rarely, if ever, are exposed to in your daily life. This can make people overwhelmed and scared. If you have a sensory-related dental phobia, let your team know, and they may be able to accommodate you by playing soothing music during your treatment or even giving you a pair of noise-cancelling headphones.
No matter what the root of your fear of visiting your dentist in Louisville is, know that your team of professionals is here to serve and accommodate you. That’s why it’s important to choose a staff that’s empathetic, caring, and understanding, because they’ll go out of their way to help you feel more comfortable in the treatment chair.
About the Author
Dr. Deborah Shoemaker is a passionate dentist with years of experience under her belt. She enjoys getting to know and understand each of her patients so she can provide them with the highest quality of dental treatments and help them feel like they’re in trustworthy hands. She regularly completes continuing education classes to stay up-to-date with the latest technology and findings in her field so she can better serve everyone who walks through her doors. For questions or to schedule an appointment at Exceptional Dentistry, visit our website or call 502-498-8297.
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