When was the last time you went to the dentist? Does your hand shake as you reach for the telephone to call and make an appointment? Does your stomach twinge when the receptionist answers the phone?
If you can’t get past making the call, and are already dreading the visit and wishing you didn’t have to go, you probably suffer from dental phobia, a fear of the dentist. Phobia, however, doesn’t have to prevent you from taking care of your teeth.
Dentist phobia is more widespread than you think.
Many people are so afraid that they avoid not only the more complicated procedures like root canals or tooth extractions but even the most basic dental care. They let years go by between check-ups and suffer through daily pain and recurring infections rather than make that one phone call.
We know how hard this can be. If it is this difficult to make the phone call, how much harder is it to actually come to the office and sit in the chair for the dentist? Phobia may seem like an exaggeration, but it is a serious problem.
What are some of the most common dental fears?
- Fear of the Dentist: Phobia should never be taken lightly. The dentists at the Blende Dental Group are dedicated to serving patients with phobia and anxiety. We care about our patients’ concerns and work closely with them to help them relax and feel comfortable.
- Loss of Control: Nobody likes to feel like they are not in control. A good dentist will pay attention to your needs, give you the space and time you need to feel comfortable, and earn your trust.
- Pain: With modern dental techniques, most treatments can be done painlessly. If you had an extremely painful dental experience in the past, you’ll be relieved to learn that new techniques have been developed for pain-free dentistry.
- The Needle: Handled properly, you should barely feel the needle
- The Drill: It’s a necessary part of the process, but wearing headphones and listening to music can help you relax and will drown out the sound of the dentists and their instruments.
- Atmosphere—the sights, sounds, and smells: Medical environments can be cold, unfamiliar, and intimidating. A cheerful, welcoming setting can go a long way in making you feel at ease. When the atmosphere is warm and the people working with you are caring, you’ll be able to relax.
- Embarrassment: No matter how bad you think your teeth look, we’ve seen worse, and by the time we’re finished, your mouth will be healthy and your teeth will look fantastic.
- Giving Up: It’s easy to tell yourself that your dental problems have gone so far that it’s not even worth the effort to try to fix them, but don’t believe it. One of our specialties is addressing multiple problems in a single visit, so your teeth and gums will be healthy in no time.
Overcoming Dental Phobia
One in seven Americans suffers from fear of the dentist. Phobia often paralyzes these patients, who are petrified by the very thought of visiting the dentist. Good oral hygiene is vital to overall good health, and the fact that so many people are risking their health out of fear is worrisome.
This is the main reason the Blende Dental Group practices and promotes gentle dentistry. We specialize in helping patients who struggle with dentist phobia and work closely with our patients to ensure a safe, painless, and worry-free trip to the dentist.
The Blende Dental Group offers Sleep and Sedation Dentistry for patients with dentist phobia. To learn more about dental phobia, take our FREE dental anxiety quiz. To speak with a patient care coordinator or to schedule an appointment, call 1-800-575-3375.