Many people share a common fear of dental procedures. The good news is that there is hope! You can be free of your dental phobia, but you have to seek help and get answers. If you do, you may be pleasantly surprised that you can actually overcome your fears and get the treatment you really need.
We’re pretty sure that if you have dental phobia, you’re completely aware of it. But people display this differently, and anxiety can be the result of a combination of several fears. Often, just identifying and being aware of the true source of your fear can “help us help you” deal with it.
Fear of Dentists in General
One of the most common fears, a fear of “going to the dentist,” is often caused by a bad experience in the past. If you have come across a particularly mean, scary, or rude dentist, remember that not all people are the same, including dentists. Most dentists are kind, compassionate, and caring people who want to help you have a healthy smile. Just because you have had one bad experience, does not mean that all dentists are evil.
Fear of Embarrassment
You may worry that your teeth are in such bad condition that the dentist will judge them or lecture you about your oral hygiene. This seems like a legitimate fear for someone with extremely poor teeth, but you have to keep in mind that your dentist is specifically trained to deal with and treat really bad teeth.
It is your dentist’s job to help you address oral health problems, not to frighten you or make you feel guilty. Dentists see hundreds of people with teeth with very unhealthy teeth, and they are not out to judge or lecture – just help.
Fear of Pain
We know that this is a tough one for lots of people. Pain is a subjective thing, and what seems painful to one person, may not even affect another. Luckily, there are many different ways to stop you from feeling any discomfort. At Deep River Dentistry, we can tailor sedation to fit your unique needs.
Fear of Losing Control
This is often associated with a fear of the dentist, or a lack of trust in dentists. Knowing, trusting and becoming comfortable with your dentist are all important for curing this fear. It also helps to keep in mind that you, the patient, are actually the one in control.
Dr. Bray will take the time to discuss any procedure with you before beginning treatment so you know exactly what we’re doing and what to expect. Communication is essential, and we want you to have the most relaxing and stress-fee experience possible.
A clear sign of dental phobia is when your fears prevent you from getting the dental treatment you need. We don’t need to tell you that avoiding regular visits to the dentist can lead to the need for more complex treatment – the very thing you’re trying to avoid.
Do you experience any of the signs of anxiety and fear described above? If so we encourage you to contact our High Point dental office and speak to Dr. Bray about treatment options for dental phobia.