Don’t fear the dentist

We all have that friend or family member who hates going to the dentist. In fact, that person may be you. Fortunately, you don’t have to fear your dentist.

Still, few people actually look forward to going to the dentist. But too many allow that mild anxiety to prevent them from getting the preventative care that they need.

Remember that poor oral care goes far beyond the condition of your teeth. If your mouth isn’t healthy, you could suffer from gum disease, which can affect other parts of your body.

Fear of the dentist stems not from the experience of being in the chair, or any potential pain, but rather from the lack of control you feel when you are reclined backwards with your mouth open. The dentist is hovering over you and you can’t really talk or respond. This lack of control generates a large amount of anxiety in people.

Fortunately, practices have popped up all over the country that specialize in not only treating your teeth, but treating your fear as well. Dentists go out of their way to make their environment as calm and non-threatening as possible.

One way dentists are changing the paradigm is by talking to their patients in the office rather than in the chair. They gently explain what they are doing, ask specific permission to continue and assure the patients they can request the procedure to stop at any time.

In the end, be honest with your dentist about your anxiety, and if you feel your fears and anxieties aren’t being taken into account, don’t be afraid to look elsewhere.