Collaborative content If you have a fear of the dentist, you are not alone; over a third of all adults in the UK experience moderate to sev...
If you have a fear of the dentist, you are not alone; over a third of all adults in the UK experience moderate to severe anxiety around going to the dentists. In addition, there are many people who refuse to go altogether because their phobia is so intense.
Whether you suffer from low-level anxiety or full-blown fear because of the dentists, fear not, help is at hand.
Understanding Your Fears
Firstly, it is important to acknowledge that a fear of the dentists is normal. It is thought to be in large part due to the feelings of vulnerability experienced when in the dentist’s chair. Try to think back to what caused your fear. It could be a bad experience or embarrassment and shame. There may be other external traumatic events that being at the dentist’s may remind you of. Maybe you simply have a fear of needles and not the dentist experience as a whole. Some people don’t know why they have developed their phobia, whereas some have picked it up from other people.
Some people find it helpful to list what precisely scares them about being at the dentists. For example, you may find that you have specific fears, such as the sound of the drill or the injections. Once you know what gives you the most anxiety, you can begin to look for things that may help you; for those who do not like the sound of the drill, you could try wearing headphones to drown it out. Try to remember that you are the one in control. You are paying for a service, and you have the right to ask them to stop for a second or wait for you to be ready.
Choosing the Right Dentists
If you have had a negative experience with a dentist before, this step is all the more important. The right dentist should make you feel at ease and try their best to calm your fears, not exacerbate them further. You wouldn’t hire a plumber or a builder without checking their reviews and references first; the same should go for a dentist. For example, if you are looking at dental implants procedures, you should look up reviews from people who have had that procedure. Oracle Dental has locations in Shrewsbury and Staffordshire. They also showcase their patient feedback on their website, making it easy for you to check their reviews before deciding if you want to book an appointment.
The Initial Appointment
The first visit to any new dental practice will always be the most nerve-wracking, but there are some things you can do to try and put yourself more at ease. Firstly, request that your initial meeting be away from the chair and be honest with them about your fears. You should also be upfront with your expectations of them in terms of treatment. Finally, if you are exceptionally nervous, you can bring a friend with you to help you through the process.
In Conclusion
Overcoming a fear isn’t an easy process, and you may experience setbacks along the way, but perseverance is incredibly important if you want to reach your goals. Therefore, it is important to keep encouraging yourself by celebrating after each successful appointment. Remember to be kind to yourself; patience is important. You cannot expect to rid yourself of this fear overnight.
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