Fear of going to the dentist—also called odontophobia or dentophobia—can have you dreading your visit. Perhaps you’ve even been putting it off due to anxiety and fear of what could happen. The good news is that you’re not alone; dental fear impacts about 20% of Americans, according to WebMD. The bad news is that you’ve still got to face the dentist eventually, or else you run the risk of developing serious issues with your teeth!
1. Tell Your Dentist!
Though this is perhaps the most obvious step, it can also be one of the hardest. Since your dental fear may be the result of past trauma, it can feel embarrassing or stressful to explain to your dentist what you’re been through. But unless you bring it up, they might assume that you have a high pain threshold, react like any other non-fearful patient, or don’t have specific fears. Therefore, it’s important be clear about exactly what is about the visit that is causing you anxiety. You can clearly request that you want to speak to the dentist before you’re “in the chair” to avoid feeling like you’re not in control, or that an unpleasant experience is imminent.
2. Block Out the Sound
Some dentist’s offices allow you to watch TV shows of your choice or offer headphones or earplugs. It helps to be prepared with your own set of headphones and something to listen to. Blocking out the sounds of loud dental tools with your favorite music can help you relax.
3. Have a Safe Word or Signal
Though many dentists will establish some sort of “safe signal” to indicate to them that you are in pain, bring it up yourself and clearly let your dentist know that you might need to signal for a break. This will help you feel like you are more in control of what is going on.
4. Remember Prevention Is Important
By not avoiding your dental visits, you’re taking an excellent step in preventative care. Getting through that unpleasant cleaning or finding a cavity in its early stages are way better options when compared to having a tooth pulled, a root canal, or any other intimidating procedure. By braving your visit today, you’re preventing big troubles tomorrow.
If you’re ready to go ahead and make that appointment, finding a dentist doesn’t have to be difficult. If you’re in the Novi, MI area, Dwoskin & Owens Cosmetic & Family Dentistry offers a variety of services and pain management techniques. Conquer your fear for a better smile.
