Scared of the dentist's chair?
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It comes as no surprise that a large number of people (up to 16%) fear visiting the dentist. In fact, this phobia is called 'odontophobia' or 'dentalphobia'.
Signs and Symptoms
The common signs and symptoms indicating you may suffer from odontophobia are:
- avoiding or missing dental appointments because of your fear
- persevering with tooth/gum pain far longer than necessary because of your fear
- a feeling of fear when thinking about going to the dentist
- high anxiety levels when you hear the sound of the dentist's drill
Consequences
If your fear of the dentist has resulted in little or no dental care, it's likely that your dental conditions may go undetected and not be treated, leaving you with poor oral health.
What causes odontophobia?
Many people with a fear of the dentist have had a bad experience in their childhood. Over time, this recollection of what went on at the dentist as a child can become distorted - and the experience may actually seem worse than it really was.
You need to remember that a lot has changed over the years and techniques and technology have advanced significantly. Dentists also have better communication between themselves and their patients. This means the experience that you remember from your childhood is likely to be vastly different to today's experience!
What can you do about it?
The best plan of action is to speak with your dentist about your fears. Your dentist may have some tips to help you to overcome your fear and to feel more relaxed. If you haven't already, find a dentist that is sympathetic to your fears. Try asking your friends and family for a recommendation if they're happy with their dentist.
If you're still struggling to get to the dentist, Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) with a psychologist may help. A recent study in the UK showed that a single session of CBT helped patients to overcome their anxiety.
If you need to have a dental procedure, there are a variety of sedation methods available to make you feel as comfortable as possible. Talk to your dentist about the different options available and find the right one for you.
One approach to overcoming anxiety of lying in a dentist's chair is conscious sedation - commonly called 'relaxation dentistry'. With conscious sedation you're treated in a semi-conscious state, still able to breathe on your own but feel relaxed and pay little attention to what's going on. This allows the dentist to perform more procedures in a single visit, which you'll have no recollection of later.
ahm's Dental Practice in Parramatta, NSW offers conscious sedation for patients who experience anxiety about dental treatment. You can make an appointment online for a consultation to discuss sedation. Alternatively, ask your dentist if this is available at their practice.
Don't let your fear stand in the way of having healthy teeth for life!
This information should be considered as a general guide only. Please consult our Dental Practices or your own physician before proceeding with any treatment.