Do you only go to the dentist when you are in pain? Are you terrified at the thought of the dentist's surgery , and the sound of the drill makes your hair almost literally "stand on end"? If so, you probably struggle with dentophobia and you are not alone in this. Fear of the dentist affects as many as 50% Poles. And how do you deal with it?

 

Dentophobia, or the right what?

Dentophobia is a panicky fear of the dentist and dental procedures - drilling or extracting a tooth. Unfortunately, it has very serious consequences.

People who struggle with dentophobia very rarely or not at all visit the dental surgery. This in turn results in damaged teeth, gum disease, periodontitis and, ultimately, loss of teeth.

But that's not all! Decayed teeth are a danger to the health of the whole body.

Fear of the dentist - where does it come from?

The most common cause of dentophobia is unpleasant childhood experiences. When, for example, a child was forced to go to the dentist and forcibly held down in the dental chair. Or teeth were extracted without anaesthesia or the wrong anaesthetic was used.

Another reason is the phobia of the parentwhich is often unconsciously and from an early age passed on to the child. This, over time, grows into the belief that the dentist is only associated with pain and fear and that a visit is a last resort.

Cameron Randall and Daniel McNeil, who published their research in Community Dentistry and Oral Epidemiology, went one step further. According to them, fear of the dentist is written in the genes and thus inherited.

If your child is afraid of the dentist we recommend our article make an appointment for an adaptation visit (more on this topic here), and before that, read our article - Fear of the dentist in a child - how to combat it?

What are the symptoms of dentophobia?

This is primarily the aforementioned fear of the dentist. However, the feeling of dread at the mere thought of a visit is often accompanied by indigestion, abdominal pain and sleep problems.

As with other phobias, accelerated heartbeat, excessive sweating, eating disorders or muscle tremors may also occur.

Anxiety about the dentist - how to deal with it?

Firstly, you need to be aware of your phobia. It is possible that you may be able to combat your fear of the dentist on your own, but it may also be a better idea to seek the help of a psychotherapist.

The second important aspect is choosing a dentist who is right for you and who has been tried and tested. Having confidence in your doctor will help reduce your anxiety levels. Remember that you can always ask what the treatment will be like. It is also a good idea to tell your dentist about your anxiety and he or she will be able to choose the most appropriate treatment.

When choosing a dentist, it is advisable to be guided by the opinions of others and to check which modern equipment available to the clinic. What is clear is that the better the technology in the practice, the more comfortable the treatment and the less chance of pain.

If you have already found a dentist to overcome your fears by making a follow-up appointment as a start. This in turn may prove to be a future solution to the situation.

Regular visits to the dentist as a way to overcome anxiety

Even if you do not struggle with dentophobia but are not a fan of the dental chair, you can limit your visits. How is this possible?

The answer is simple - through check-ups. If you visit the dentist's surgery regularly, the dentist is able to notice even the smallest changes in your mouth and start treatment straight away. As a result, it will not take a long time.

Secondly, regular hygiene will help you to prevent the build-up of tartar and thus caries, gum disease or periodontitis. You can read more about this in our material - Dental hygiene in the UK.

As always, regular visits must go hand in hand with proper oral hygiene. It is best to brush your teeth after every meal (twice is the minimum necessary), if you do not have this opportunity at least try to rinse your teeth with water. Don't forget to floss and use mouthwash too.

If you are struggling with dentophobia or have an additional question - you can always reach us at call. We are happy to dispel doubts.