Dental anxiety and phobia. Most of the people feel anxious about going to the dentist, but for some others with dental phobia even having a dental Check-up is terrifying. They do anything to avoid a dental appointment.
Phobia is an unreasonable fear that can cause so many problems in any activity, situation or treatment. People with fear of dentistry will usually get back to the dentist with gum infections (periodontal disease), toothache, or even broken and hopeless teeth. In these situations sometimes there is nothing left but to extract the tooth.
Dental anxiety extremely common. People often believe that the words "anxiety" and "phobia have the same meaning, but they are absolutely different.
Those with Dental anxiety will have a sense of discomfort when it's time for their dental appointments. They'll have exaggerated worries or fears.
Dental phobia is a more serious condition. It's a powerful fear or dread. People with dental phobia are terrified or panicked to see a dentist. They avoid going to the dentist as long as possible and will have to see the dentist when it is already too painful or late. Remember our body needs maintenance and our teeth are part of the body. With no maintenance infection will eventually grow in your body causing number of serious systemic problems.
Those with dental phobia have a higher risk of gum disease and early tooth loss. Avoiding the dentist may have emotional problems as well. Discoloured or chipped teeth can make people smile less or speak less than the others. They are always embarrassed about how their teeth looks like and that is often causing serious loss of self-confidence.
Dental anxiety may get worse over time. That's because dental stress can make dental appointments more uncomfortable than that they really are. remember dentistry has gone a long way in the past 10 years, anaesthetics have made dental appointments comfortable and painless as long as it is not already so late that pain and infection has spread to your body. If there is too much infection the anaesthetics will not be effective.
Pain- The fear of pain is most common in adults 24 years or older, although remember nowadays there is no dental pain using the current numbing methods.
Embarrassment —People may feel embarrassed to have a stranger looking inside. This might be because of them being self-conscious about how their teeth look. Dental treatments also require physical nearness. During a treatment dentist's face is just few inches away. This makes some people anxious and uncomfortable.
Negative past experiences — Those people who has had pain or discomfort during previous dental treatment are likely to be more anxious in their next dental appointment.
Symptoms
You feel nervous or have problem with sleeping the night before a dental appointment.
You get extremely nervous while you're in the waiting room.
Thinking of a dental visit makes you feel physically sick and weak.
Shortness of breath when objects are placed in your mouth during the dental treatment
If you have any of these symptoms, you need to explain your concerns and fears to your dentist.
At Gorgeous Smiles our dentists are best at what they do, we understand going to the dentist at best of times can be stressful and uncomfortable. We know you prefer to delay your appointment as long as possible to avoid the discomfort, but because of all the reasons listed above we would highly recommend you visit your dentist once every 6 months.
Remember the more you go to the dentist the less you need to go !! This means if you do your regular exams and possibly x-rays you will stop any oral problem before it becomes huge. At Gorgeous smiles we stop any oral disease before they become painful with Preventive Dental Treatments, regular Oral Examinations and Radiographs.
Our motto is "Prevention is always better that Treatment." So Book you appointment today to prevent any further gum disease, tooth loss or pain. Our dentists are great at putting you in ease and comfort. Not Sure yet? Check our Google reviews from people like yourself going from terrified of going to the dentist to a regular patient.
1- Pain phobia
Their dread arose from a bad dental encounter when they were younger for other individuals.
2- Embarrassment
Some individuals with severely damaged or rotting teeth may be self-conscious about their oral health and hygiene. Fortunately, professional dentists deal with any tooth problems. As a result, they will be in a position to assist.
3- Personal space is important
Some patients are irritated by strangers intruding on their personal space. They may also feel uneasy if the equipment into their mouth or if their mouth is blocked.
4- Anaesthesia side effects
Everyone has witnessed an aesthesia's adverse effects in amusing online videos. Nausea, numbness, and dizziness are possible side effects after the treatment. However, these adverse effects usually fade immediately after the consultation, so the patient should not be concerned.
5- Loss of command
While seated on the dentist's chair, some patients often feel helpless. They are frequently forced to lean back with their mouths open. As a result, they can't see what's going on and have no control over the situation, leading to much dental anxiety.
6- Injection fear
Many people are scared of needles, particularly if injected into their mouth by a dentist. Others are concerned that the anaesthetic may not work and that the procedure would be highly unpleasant.
If you're worried, you're not alone for a dental appointment. Fortunately, by asking your dentist as many questions as possible and going to the dentist, you can manage dental anxiety with the help of a friend or family member.
To alleviate any stress, find a knowledgeable dentist you can trust and explain the dental therapy in detail before the procedure.
Author: Dr Minoo Ghamari
Gorgeous Smiles Dental Principal Dentist
**The content on this blog is not intended to substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of a qualified dentist in Melbourne with questions you may have regarding medical conditions. For News and update, please follow us on FaceBook.
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