Not everyone feels excited when they go to the dentist. The truth is that some people feel anxious about seeking proper dental care. Dental phobia or the fear of dentists can happen to anyone at any age. It varies in severity and can have devastating effects if left untreated.
Primary types of dental phobia
Dental phobia has several types based on various factors. Most people with this type of phobia often fear more than one element. But there are others with severe dental anxiety who fear all aspects at the same time.
There are a few people who fear the dentist alone. They often feel that dentists are cold by nature or even have a sadistic attitude at worst. People who have a negative experience with a dentist have more chances of developing dental phobia.
Meanwhile, experts say that other people fear the pain associated with the procedure. They think that going to the dentist will mean extreme pain for them, no matter how easy or simple the method may be.
Others fear the numbness, especially those who’ve experienced difficulty breathing before. There are even people who fear the sound and smell of a dental office, especially whenever they hear the drilling sound.
Complications of dental phobia
Dental health is crucial to everyone’s life. That’s why it’s essential to take care of correctly all the time. Although others seldom require visits to the dentist’s office because of the condition of their teeth, others are more prone to tooth decay and gum disease. Having dental phobia can only make it worse since it would only prevent them from seeking the help that they need.
Cavities and tooth decay can only get worse over time. It would slowly seep into the person’s dental cavity and cause it to get rotten. Once that happens, there’s no other way but to undergo root canal therapy. There are even times when they might need a dental implant procedure in South Jordan and other places to restore their smile.
Treating dental phobia
Some dentists are experts when it comes to handling patients with dental phobia. Some would even go the extra mile to ensure that their facilities wouldn’t look like the regular ones that you often see every day.
They understand the fear that some patients may have with dentists, so they try to take away the cues by providing them with a calming environment. Dentists often use simple methods to boost the patient’s comfort and make them feel that they are in control of the situation. They start by explaining all the details about the procedure so that they can set proper expectations. They also give the patient the chance to pause the process if ever he or she feels uncomfortable.
Treating dental phobia is not easy. It will take time before you can completely recover from it. But you can certainly get it over with if you give yourself enough time to move on. Getting over your dental phobia will help you manage your dental and oral health a lot better.