75% of the adult population is afraid of a dentist. This can cause problems in dental health because if people cannot overcome their fears, they may not seek necessary treatment until there’s an emergency. Is it because they don’t like needles, pain, having their mouth opened, that “weird hospital smell”, or the dentist just being so close to their face?
And while it’s true that visiting a dentist isn’t much fun, you should set regular appointments with one of the dentists Raynes Park to keep tabs on your dental health. If you wait until something goes wrong, you’ll pay twice as much for twice as long to fix it — and the chance of suffering toothaches! Here’s a fun read on why most people are afraid of the dentist.
You Associate Dentist with Pain
Dentists are intimidating because they use needles and drills in regular dental procedures. If someone fears needles or loud noises, going to the dentist could be tough to deal with, on top of feeling out of control during their appointment at the office itself!
Injection
People who fear the dentist may also fear needles and other sharp objects, which makes getting an injection even more stressful. The dentist will use a needle to inject the local anesthetic into the gums before they start working on your teeth.
Embarrassment
Dentists sometimes need to take pictures inside someone’s mouth with a camera-like device called an intraoral camera. It requires patients to open their mouths wide so the dentist can see all areas of their teeth and gums for inspection and treatment planning.
It makes someone uncomfortable because they feel like they are being watched, which can become an anxiety trigger every time they visit the dentist’s office.
Getting Teeth Extracted
People often fear tooth extraction because they think it will be excruciating. However, this is not always the case. A dentist will usually numb the area before removing your tooth so that you do not feel much pain.
Fear Since Childhood
It could be your parents telling you that it would hurt. Or maybe they just made a big deal out of how much work it would be to clean your teeth. The result is that you got used to seeing the dentist as a source of pain and discomfort, and now, even though that’s not necessarily true anymore, you’re still afraid of what might happen if you go in for an appointment.
Fear of Anesthesia
People are scared of what might happen if something goes wrong while under anesthesia during an operation. Many worry that they won’t wake up from their surgery or what will happen if there is an emergency under anesthesia.
Dental Office Smell
Your first few appointments at the dentist can be nerve-wracking. In addition, it’s a strange place with strange tools and people, and there’s the smell.
The smells at the dentist’s office are not pleasant. The most common odors are from chemicals used in cleaning or filling teeth. Some of these chemicals may have a strong scent that some people find unpleasant.
The smells are not dangerous, but they can make you uncomfortable if you aren’t used to them. To make your first visit more enjoyable, try taking deep breaths through your nose and exhaling through your mouth as much as possible while you’re waiting for your appointment or treatment. If you feel lightheaded or nauseous during treatment, let your dentist know so they can stop working on your teeth and help you recover quickly so that your next visit isn’t affected!
Allergic Reactions
An allergic reaction to dental materials, such as amalgam and composites, is a common problem. When you are allergic to a dental material, your body reacts to it as though it were harmful.
It can cause symptoms such as itching or burning in the mouth, swelling of the lips and tongue, difficulty eating or drinking, and even difficulty breathing.
Allergic reactions to certain types of dental materials are rare but possible. Suppose you think you may be allergic to any material used in dentistry. Please talk with your dentist about this possibility before treatment begins so they can avoid using those materials.
Fear of dentists can be overcome. Many people can visit the dentist every six months for cleanings and checkups without significant phobias. Perhaps the best way to tackle dental anxiety is to be proactive about it and take the time to address these fears with a dentist. The more you understand what you can expect when you visit the dentist and why you’re undergoing specific procedures, the easier it will be to dismiss your fears and implement a plan for better oral hygiene.