According to Statistic Stats, “over 75% of adults experience dental anxiety or fear.” So, if you’re nervous about or downright fearful of visiting a dentist, you are not alone.
The important thing to know is that there are many things you can do to reduce your dentophobia. (Yes, that is the official phobia name for being afraid of visiting a dentist.)
In short, overcoming fear and anxiety when going to the dentist can be done.
Common Reasons for Dentophobia
Reasons for dentophopia can include:
- A bad dental experience in the past
- The feeling of helplessness, or lack of control, some people get when sitting in the dental chair
- The distinctive sounds and smells of the dental office
- They are scared to go to the dentist because of bad teeth
- They are scared to go to the dentist after 10 years
Still, other people may be reluctant to visit the dentist because of:
- an anxiety or mood disorder
- stress from PTSD for war veterans
- stress from PTSD for victims of domestic violence or sexual abuse
However, the most common reason people give for dental fear is the fear of pain.
The good news is that today’s vastly improved dental treatments are much more comfortable than in the past.
Dangers of Not Going to the Dentist
Avoiding the dentist can have serious health consequences. Resulting dental problems can include:
- deep cavities needing root canal treatment
- gingivitis and periodontal disease (gum disease)
- tooth loss
- severe dental pain
- oral infection
- impacted wisdom teeth
And, in the worst case, untreated gum disease can lead to heart disease, stroke, or diabetes.
There’s No Need to Feel Embarrassed
It’s common for people to be embarrassed about taking so long to see a dentist.
Just remember, the right dentist will never lecture you or make you feel judged. The focus should always be on getting you the dental care you need.
Find a Dentist Who Deserves Your Trust
For any dental patient, fearful or not, it’s important to find a dentist you trust.
You should always feel respected, and your dentist should directly answer all of your questions.
Find a dentist you’re comfortable opening up to. Your dentist should openly discuss your fears with you and help you understand and overcome your concerns.
You can start your search by asking a friend if they like their dentist or checking reviews online.
And of course, you can visit us at Hamburg Dental Care in Hamburg, NJ. Our practice treats patients with care, respect, and understanding.
In fact, our dentist, Dr. Barry Eisenman, specializes in helping patients who suffer from fear and anxiety when going to the dentist.
What About Dental Pain?
A good dentist realizes that patients have different pain thresholds. They know to expect different patient reactions during a dental procedure.
Your dentist must be mindful about pain control. They should always be concerned about your comfort. This may mean offering a brief break during the treatment or offering more local anesthetic medicine if needed.
Now There’s Pain Free Dental Care
If you have an extreme fear of the dentist, we have just the solution for you.
At Hamburg Dental Care, we specialize in pain-free dentistry. The breakthrough Wand Numbing System makes this possible.
The Wand is a state-of-the-art computer-assisted local anesthesia application system. It allows dentists, including Dr. Eisenberg, to deliver anesthesia pain free.
Many dental patients feel fine once they receive the numbing agent. But the fear of the anesthesia injection is enough to make them stay home.
With The Wand, you can relax in the dentist’s chair knowing your treatment will be pain free from start to finish.
In fact, some of our patients are so amazed at the way The Wand works they call it “The Magic Wand!”
But it’s not magic. It’s state-of-the-art technology.
How The Wand Works
The Wand Numbing System is a computer controlled dental anesthesia application system. It precisely controls the rate of flow and pressure of the numbing agent. This flow consistently remains below the patient’s pain threshold.
Visual and audible feedback technology determines the exact location, pressure, and needle position needed to provide the anesthesia painlessly.
The Wand delivers the numbing agent to the injection site before the tiny needle ever enters the skin. And the aesthetic can be delivered to just one tooth without numbing a large area of the mouth and tongue.
The result is simple—no injection pain and a productive dental visit!
When It’s Time to Make an Appointment
When you’ve found a dentist and you’re ready to make an appointment, there are still a few things to look for.
Make sure there’s a friendly voice on the other end of the phone. And be sure that they answer all your questions.
How to Relax on Dental Treatment Day
There are several things you can do to reduce your fear and anxiety when going to the dentist.
Bring some music
Today, we can bring our favorite music everywhere. When in the waiting room, listen to some music that evokes happy memories or lifts your spirits. There’s no need to listen to office music you don’t like.
You can even bring noise-cancelling headphones.
Request your favorite TV channel
Some dentists have TVs in the treatment room. It helps patients pass the time while waiting in the dentist’s chair and helps keep you relaxed during treatment. Ask to watch your favorite TV show. A good dentist or dental hygienist will be happy to oblige.
Learn and use relaxation techniques
Simple relaxation techniques can calm your nerves. You can learn different techniques online, including controlled breathing or progressive muscle relaxation.
Practice the technique every day. The more you practice, the better it will work.
Ask a trusted friend or relative to accompany you
Having a good friend along on your appointment will ease your nerves and may even get you laughing. It helps if your friend doesn’t share your dental fear, so they will convey a genuine sense of relaxation.
If you’re feeling very apprehensive, ask if they can sit with you during treatment.
Arrive early for your appointment
Arriving at your appointment early will keep stress to a minimum and give you a sense of being in control.
There’s No Time Like Right Now!
At Hamburg Dental Care, we value our patients. We provide gentle dental care using state-of-the-art technology.
Whether your last dental visit was 6 months ago or 10 years ago, we hope you become a member of our dental family.
Contact our office now with questions, or to make an appointment.
We accept most dental insurance plans and even offer our affordable dental care plan.
