Why you shouldn't let your fear of the dentist hold your smile back

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by: Danny Devon
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Word Count: 603
Date: Tue, 8 Feb 2011 Time: 12:23 AM
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Many people suffer from some variation of dental phobia (also known as odontophobia), although when people simply feel nervous about visiting the dentist it is often referred to as dental anxiety. There is some debate, however, over whether the fear of dentistry is indeed a phobia. Phobias are generally irrational but if you have had a previous bad experience involving a dentist or dental work it can become quite rationalised.

What exactly is a Dental Phobia?

A dental phobia, as stated before, is arguably, not a phobia at all, but a fear, ranging from a feeling of uneasiness or anxiety all the way up to the petrifying horror that many people suffer from. It is also much more common than is believed, with 75% of the US admitting to feelings of at least anxiety when going to the dentist for anything as small as a check up. If you have a fear of dentistry this can mean any number of things associated with the dental world and doesn't just include a fear of the dental procedure.

Less common fears associated with dentistry are things such as a fear of anaesthesia: many people are scared of the idea of waking up mid operation or dislike the idea of being powerless. Another fear is of the diagnosis itself and is often found in people who haven't been to the dentist for an extended period of time. It is often a fear created by the infamous reputation of some dental procedures or even simply a fear of the price which plays on the minds of many people nowadays. More common fears, however, are ones such as the fear of dental work, pain and dentists in general, and it is these three that shall be focussed on.

Fear of Dental Work

Fear of dental work often stems from previous experiences (most commonly during childhood) or general hearsay about the previously mentioned reputation that dental work and dentistry in general has been given. This can be difficult to combat and find effective help for if the past experience resulted in a bad outcome (i.e. a poor dental procedure). Most cases that result in fear of dental work, while painful, were successful in that they performed the dental operation that it needed to. In this circumstance it has been found that the most effective way of overcoming the fear is to focus on the positive aspects of the past experience that brought on the fear; seeing it as a good thing and not in a negative light. For sufferers of a more acute version of this fear, counselling or therapy may be needed before the fear can be fully overcome.

Fear of Pain

This fear is generally a fear of the actual pain, rather than what the result or cause of that pain might be. It is also more than likely enhanced through a lack of knowledge in the procedure and equipment that is being used. Talking with your dentist can commonly put nerves at ease and having a dentist that you get on with will also go a long way to helping you overcome the fear.

Fear of Visit/Dentists

This fear is often very similar to both of the previous fears and tends to embody both. It is most commonly a fear of the unknown; not understanding the procedure that they are going in for. Again, a frequent and simple way of overcoming it is often simply to talk to your dentist about your concerns. Anxiety over dental visits is very common and dentists are now trained to tell with patients who are stressed about their appointment.

About the Author

If dental phobia is holding your smile back then this may in turn lead to dental trauma. For such instances, it is best that you seek emergency dental care or your smile will likely only get worse, and so will your fear of the dentist.