Facing Your Dental Phobia

Stress and anxiety brought on by dentist office visits are so common that professionals, from psychologists to the dentists themselves, are developing ways to alleviate it so it doesn't get in the way of oral health care. Dental offices nationwide, such as Western Dental Services, are beginning to cater to patients who possess these fears. Apart from dental staff working together to make patients more relaxed and comfortable, there are a number of steps patients can take on their own to overcome their dentistry phobias. Hypnotherapy is one common tool, as well as relaxation and meditation techniques. Many people are also finding that a little bit of education goes a long way in preventing anxiety, eliminating the fear of the unknown by reading up on or asking questions about common dental procedures.

Regular dental exams and cleanings are necessary to prevent cavities and encourage good oral health, and therefore, are paramount to the average person's overall health care regimen. However, many folks, even those who know how important it is to see a dentist every 6 months, still have a fear of what takes place behind the doors of their dentist's office. It is a phobia that plagues numerous people - a fear of pain and dental procedures that provoke anxiety. Because of this phobia, many people find it difficult - if not impossible - to go to the dentist regularly.

Fears related to dentistry can be divided into three categories: dental anxiety, dental fear, and dental phobia. Dental anxiety is the most common; it is similar to the fear of the unknown and can often be alleviated by talking with a dentist or hygienist. Dental fear is synonymous with a fight or flight response that occurs when the patient is faced with a potentially negative dental experience. Dental phobia is much more deeply embedded than dental fear. Someone with dental phobia will avoid going to the dentist or having any dental procedure done despite warnings about all the potential risks. Common dental fears include pain, loss of control, sounds at the dentist's office, dentistry tools such as the drill, gagging, and panicking.

You might find that choosing another dental practice altogether is the answer, as maybe your fear is related more to a particular dentist and/or office than the procedures themselves. Talk to the dental care professionals at your local Western Dental or consult the dentist of your choice for advice on how you can effectively cope with your anxieties. Depending on the level of fear you're dealing with, a little dental education might be all that you need to overcome your anxieties and get back on course with regular dental care.

Nipping that fear in the bud now is much more preferable to avoiding the dentist at the expense of your oral health and having to face much more colossal demons later on. People who avoid going to the dentist because of their fear may experience major problems pertaining to their dental health, possibly necessitating much more painful and anxiety provoking procedures as their health worsens over time.