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Some people don't look forward to dental appointments any more than they look forward to visits to their physician or the emergency room. Just the simple act of being examined can make people feel stressed. Many people suffering from dental anxiety can live with having some anxiety about going to the dentist, but those with severe dental phobia may think of a dental visit as terrifying and even dodge important visits. A phobia is an intense, unreasonable fear. Those with dental phobia often put off routine care for years, and even put up with gum infections, pain, or even broken and unsightly teeth. Though different, if you suffer from dental anxiety or phobia, it is important to take charge of your fears in order to maintain proper oral health. What is Dental Anxiety? Some people experience fear so intense that they lose sleep at night and worry excessively about what might happen at the dentist's office. Dental anxiety is common with up to 15 percent of Americans avoiding the dentist due to fear. For those who suffer from dental anxiety, the following strategies can help calm your fears and allow you to visit the dentist for much needed dental care: * Communicate with your dentist.
* "Talk" with your hands.
* Get distracted.
* Take a break if needed.
* Ask about sedation dentistry. Studies have proven that the most important factor in overcoming dental anxiety is good dentist-patient communication. It is proven that communication is a crucial factor for relieving dental anxiety and phobia. Openly express your concerns with your dentist, as this will allow them to adapt the treatment to your personal needs. It is natural for people to feel some level of anxiety when visiting a dentist, but when your anxiety is preventing access to proper care, it is essential that you speak with your dentist to help overcome your anxiety. Establishing trust and keeping patients informed throughout a visit to the dentist helps to calm dental anxiety. Factors That Play a Role in Dental Fear People develop dental anxieties and phobias for a variety of reasons. A common reason for dental anxiety or phobia is pain. The fear of pain is common in adults 24 years and older, due to early dental visits prior to advances in pain-free dentistry. Many people can also develop such fears about certain situations in which they feel they have no control. When they are in a dental chair, they have to sit still, which may make them feel as if they do not know what is going on or predict what will hurt. Additionally, a patient's anxiety or phobia can be initiated by embarrassment because the mouth is an intimate part of the body. People may feel ashamed or embarrassed to have a stranger looking inside their mouth. Sound familiar? It's not uncommon to have some apprehension about visiting the dentist, but you need to talk to your Pompano Beach dentist about your feelings, concerns and fears. Your dentist will help you to overcome these feelings by changing the way you are treated.
Sean Hartmen writes for Dr. Natalia Stadler, leading family dentist in Pompano Beach. Providing the best in cosmetic and general dentistry that the Pompano Beach area has to offer, Dr. Stadler is qualified to handle any dental need for patients of every age including veneers, whitening, Invisalign, and implants in Pompano Beach.
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