If a trip to the dentist leaves you feeling apprehensive or anxious, the first thing to know is that you’re absolutely not alone. The 2009 NHS Adult Dental Health Survey found that over 40% of adults felt either moderately or extremely anxious about dental work, with 15% feeling extremely anxious.
But are these concerns necessary, or can a trip to the dentist be an enjoyable one, rather than something to be scared of? Read on to find out more.
What causes dental phobias?
As we’ve said, feeling worried or frightened of the dentist isn’t unusual. But for those dealing with the issue, it can seriously affect their oral health. Many patients admit to neglecting routine appointments because of their anxieties, with some saying they only visit the dentist when issues have become unmanageable.
But what causes such intense dental phobias? Here we get into some of the most common causes:
- Learned behaviour
Most of us won’t remember our very first trip to the dentist as a child, but what we’re much more likely to recall is how our parents or guardians behaved in that environment. If you don’t remember regular check-ups during your childhood, that might have created additional anxiety as you’ve gotten older too.
- Negative or painful past experiences
It only takes one bad experience to put you off something forever, and that’s certainly the case with the dentist. It’s no secret that dental work can be uncomfortable or even painful, and a particularly difficult procedure could put you off going back. This is even more likely to cause long-term fears if your negative experience was during childhood.
- Loss of control
The dentist’s chair can feel like a vulnerable place and a lot of people are worried about feeling out of control during their appointment.
- Embarrassment
If you’ve got hang-ups about the health or appearance of your teeth, you’re likely to feel embarrassed about showing them to the dentist. Plenty of people are concerned about being judged or shamed by their dentist, and easily forget how many teeth they have seen that day, and they are professionals looking to help.
What can be done about a fear of the dentist?
Because dental anxieties are so common, most good dentists in Bishop Stortford what to do to help put patients at ease. Everything from the design of the clinic through to the approach of the team can help to make you feel comfortable and relaxed, and often explaining to your dental team how you’re feeling can make all of the difference.
It’s everyone’s job to put a nervous patient at ease, so from the very first contact with reception through to the treatment itself, if your dentist knows you’re apprehensive, they will be able to put you at ease faster. Many dentists in Bishop Stortford are more than happy to discuss your concerns in detail and will always take any treatments at your pace to make you feel more confident and in control.
But other than talking to your dentist about how you feel, another good way to overcome a fear of the dentist is to keep up with regular routine appointments. Visiting regularly helps to remove the build-up of worry that can develop over long-stretches of time. It also helps you to become more accustomed to the environment, and the team working there become more familiar to you too.
Are you looking to overcome a dental fear?
If you’re scared of the dentist, then it can become very difficult to break the cycle. But finding a good dentist in Bishop Stortford who you can trust to take your needs and concerns into account is a great place to start.
Dentists such as Hockerill Dental who have many years of experience in helping nervous patients have tried and tested ways of helping worried patients feel happy and at ease. So, if you’re looking for a dentist you can trust to help you overcome your fear, why not get in touch with their team on 01279 652400 to speak to their friendly team?
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