For many people, the dentist holds a privileged place among their phobias and fears.
The fear of going to the dentist affects around 15% of the population and causes anxiety. In this article, we explain how to overcome dental fear with our approach.
The main reason behind this attitude lies in the fear of pain, which manifests through insomnia, discomfort, sweating and/or muscle tension. All of this creates an aversion to visiting the dentist, or even avoid going to the dentist, which can worsen oral health issues and pose a real risk to our dental well-being.
Tips to Overcome Fear of the Dentist
If you are afraid of the dentist or feel dental anxiety, techniques such as the use of nitrous oxide can help. Our patient R.J. shares her experience in this video. But in addition, in this post, we offer some guidelines on how to overcome or reduce fear of the dentist:
Fear of the Unknown
Many of our fears stem from a lack of knowledge about the treatments needed to address our dental problems. One way to avoid this is by getting information about them, even if it is directly at the clinic with the help of professionals. And remember, during treatment, simply raising your hand is enough to take a moment to relax again.
Sharing Our Fears
We should not hide our fear of the dentist. These professionals work with patients like us every day and know how to treat us and what information to provide to make the visit and dental procedures less traumatic.
Moreover, today’s dentists are very different from those of 30 years ago. Their methods, tools, and the technology they apply have evolved significantly to minimise discomfort as much as possible.
Do you think your dental phobia relates to past dental experiences? Express this to the professional, and they will help you with relaxation techniques to overcome your fear.
Your Dentist
Having a “trusted dentist” is essential to ease your fears. If you don’t have one yet, ask family or friends about their experiences. A positive testimonial about the dentist who will treat you will reinforce your confidence.
Other Tips and Recommendations for When You Visit the Dentist
Once seated in the dentist’s chair, a very useful tip is to avoid looking at the instruments being used. Thinking about something that distracts you is also very effective.
Focus on your deep breathing and listen to calming music before your appointment – you can even take the opportunity to plan your holidays during treatment.
In addition, going to the clinic with a friend or family member can help you relax during the journey and wait, and also reduce the temptation to cancel your dental appointments.
Why Choose Us as Your Dental Clinic?
At Pronova, we offer the most advanced dental treatments and techniques, as well as a team of highly experienced and qualified specialists who will answer any questions you may have on the subject and help you overcome your fear of the dentist. Take care of your oral health – start by booking a dental cleaning appointment.
We hope that through this article, you have learnt that overcoming fear of the dentist is indeed possible.
Doctor Fernando Abad from CLINICA PRONOVA on Vimeo.
