The fear of going to the dentist, according to a report by the University of Adelaide, affects one in six Australian adults. In certain subgroups of the population, such as middle-aged women, the numbers are as high as one in three. Dental fear can be caused by a variety of factors, from embarrassment over decayed teeth to a previous bad experience with a dentist. The consequences often dental fear can be significant, as people with this fear often put off going to the dentist until they are in severe pain. Luckily, there are a few simple things you can do to reduce your dental fear in order to take the best care of your teeth.
Find A Dentist Who Understands Dental Fear
Most dentists will be happy to work with your dental fear, but some actively specialise in treating nervous patients. If your fear is serious, it might be worth choosing a dentist with extensive experience in this area. WebMD explains what you should be looking for in a dentist: someone who is gentle, patient, and willing to explain your treatment in words that you understand.
Take A Friend With You
Taking a friend or relative to the dentist is a good idea, as it can distract you from your fear and make you feel more at ease. Any fear-friendly dentist will be happy to have them in the room with you while your teeth are examined. Kyrene Family Dentistry points out that you should choose someone who is comfortable at the dentist, so you can benefit from their confidence.
Find Some Distraction Techniques
The time that the dentist spends working on your mouth can be nervewracking, so it's a good idea to plan some distractions in advance. Arizona Family Dental offers a range of solutions, from bringing earphones and some music to learning some meditation techniques. You know best what you find relaxing, so have a solid plan in place before you get into the chair.
Reward Yourself After A Dentist Visit
Some people find visits to the dentist more bearable if they have something to look forward to afterwards. Perhaps you might schedule an outing with your family or with a friend, or plan a fun weekend away. You may want to buy yourself a treat after your appointment. This is a personal choice, so choose something that you know will motivate you.
While dental fear is very upsetting, there are lots of things you can do to combat it. The first step is to find a dentist you are comfortable with, and you can then build on that with a system of reassurance, distration and reward to make dentist visits bearable and productive.
