A majority of us do not like visiting the dentist. But for some, a dental appointment, or even just the thought of it, gives them fear, and they would rather avoid it altogether. Dental fear also known as dental phobia, can be referred to as persistent fear to visit the dentist for different dental services. Statistics have it that one of the most common reasons why people don’t visit the dentist is due to fear. Here are some tips to help you overcome the fear of visiting the dentist.
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- Identify What Frightens you and Communicate to Your Dentist
In order to find the best approach to overcome your dental anxiety, you need to find out exactly what frightens you about visiting the dentist. Are you afraid of needles, pain, or just visiting the dentist in general? Identifying your exact fear is the first step in overcoming the fear.
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- Communicate with your Dentist
After you have identified your fear, you now need to communicate it to your dentist. Don’t shy away from communicating your fears to the dentist. A good dentist will want to hear about your fears before your first dental visit so that he can be prepared on how to help you.
Dentists are trained on how to manage pain and are able to talk to you every step of the procedure so that you can understand what is happening. Knowing what to expect can help you solve the fear of the unknown.
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- Visit the Dentist Before the Actual Procedure
The other best method of finishing the fear of the unknown is visiting the dentist before the actual procedure. Visiting prior will help you meet the team member that will be working on you on an actual day. This will help you familiarize yourself with them and make you feel more relaxed. Also, you will get an opportunity to interact with the dentist and ask him anything you might want to know about the procedure.
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- Take Someone With You
It is also recommended that if you fear going to the dentist, you can take someone you trust to your dental appointments. This can be a close friend or a family member. Being around someone you can trust during dental procedures will help you relax, thus reducing anxiety.
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- Listen to Music
It is recommended that during the procedure, you put on some earphones and listen to your best music. This will help you relax and overshadow the sound that might be coming from the different dental equipment. Other techniques you can use to relax include taking some deep breaths slowly during the procedure.
Bottom Line
Yes, dental office fear is very common among thousands of people across the world. All you need to do is simply explain your dental fears to your dentist, and you will be good to go. Actually, after talking to the dentist and going through a dental procedure, most people admit that the whole process was not as bad as they initially thought it would be.
If you have dental fears, visit us as Carrum Downs Dental Clinic, and we will help you walk through it. Our staff and dental team are welcoming and will make you feel at home.