Dentists are a very friendly bunch, so it is surprising to learn that around half of the UK population has a dental phobia according to statistics from the Oral Health Foundation.
Even more surprising is that dental phobia beats fear of heights, snakes, and the zombie apocalypse to take number-one spot on the nation’s list of fears.
Around 12% of cases of dental phobia are acute enough to prevent dentist visits altogether, and that’s a real problem when it comes to maintaining good oral health and avoiding unnecessary aches and pains.
The team at Maidstone Dental & Implant Centre have come up with a few simple steps to help banish dental anxiety for good.
Find the Right Dentist
If your dentist strokes a long-haired white cat and laughs maniacally during treatment, it’s time to find a dentist who’s willing to use their powers for good. Ask around with family and friends to get a recommendation from someone you trust.
Know Your Enemy
Try to find out what exactly scares you. It could be that you are afraid of the drill, or the needle used to administer anaesthetic. Would it put your mind at rest to learn neither of these will be used during your upcoming dental examination? Knowing the source of fears can also help you to start a conversation about how your dentist can help make treatment more pleasant.
Easy Does it
If it’s been a while since you last had treatment, start off slowly with a dental examination or hygiene visit. This approach will help you build a rapport with your dentist.
Ditch Needless Needles
Fear of needles? In many cases, injected anaesthetics can be substituted for a topical gel. Once again, talking to your dentist to let them know your concerns is critical here.
You Were Saying?
When it comes to taking your mind off treatment, distraction is your friend. Some people like to solve puzzles, while others listen to music on headphones. Do not worry – your dentist will not think it is rude. Stress balls, fidget spinners, magazines and other distractions are all fair game.
I Want to be Sedated
Yes, it is perfectly fine to ask. Many dentists, especially those who specialise in dealing with phobic or anxious patients, now offer gentle sedation for the simplest procedures.
Open Wide, Say OM!
Meditation, mindfulness, and calming breathing exercises can work wonders in the battle against everyday anxiety, and the same is true for dental angst. A quick five-minute exercise is often all it takes to dispel dental dread.
Talk to a Professional
If dental phobia continues even after following the steps in our guide, it could be time to talk to an anxiety specialist. Counselling or cognitive behavioural therapy could arm you with the coping mechanism needed to get past your fear once and for all, as well as getting to the root cause of anxiety.
Reward Yourself
If you have followed the advice so far, you should be well on your way to repairing dental relations. There is still something you can do after treatment to make the experience more palatable. Treating yourself to a reward can help rebuild positive associations and help make each visit feel like less of a chore. And besides, do you really need an excuse to finally take that long, lazy lunch hour.
Looking for dentists highly trained in treating anxious patients, call Maidstone Dental & Implant Centre on 01622 682 029 and book an appointment today.
