If you are one of the 15% of people in the US who avoid seeing the dentist due to anxiety and fear, you need to read this. The truth is that no one likes the dentist; but why is that? The truth is that a trip to the dentist doesn’t have to be any more painful than a trip to the doctor for your annual checkup, and yet a high percentage of people put off dental checkups and risk their oral health.
The issue with skipping dental checkups is that when we fail to take adequate care of our teeth, they can fall into a state of disrepair, yellowing, becoming painful, and eventually falling out. Losing your teeth probably doesn’t bear thinking about, which is why it’s so vital that if dental fear is something that plagues you, that you overhaul how you see oral care.
It might sound impossible to change your perception of seeing the dentist or an oral care specialist, but the fact is it’s not. You can change your mindset when it comes to dental care, and here’s how you can do it:
Ignore the horror stories
There are always going to be horror stories regarding any medical treatment but you need to learn to ignore them. Just because your Uncle Billy says that he had an awful experience having a filling done at the dentist and in his words ‘would rather cut off his own foot’ than go through that again, don’t get stressed. That is his experience, not yours. Dentistry should never be painful, so these kinds of horror stories really are not helpful. Ignore the scary stories that you hear and instead focus on your own experience.
Find the right oral healthcare
You know how you have to find the right doctor for you? Well, it’s the same when it comes to dentistry and oral surgery, you need to find the right dentist or oral specialist for your needs. If you don’t feel comfortable with the person you are currently registered with, take the time to find a new dental practice to attend. Visit the practice in person, ask to have a tour, and speak with the dentist - this should give you an idea of which dental practice could work best for you. Perhaps you could look for a dentist who specializes in patients who suffer from a dental phobia? With the right kind of support in place, you have the power to change how you see oral care.
Determine where your fear stems from
If you are going to be able to get past the fear that you have, it’s important that you can determine whether your fear stems from. Try to determine when it was that you became scared of the dentist. If you cannot do that, think about what it is that scares you most. For most people, it’s the overall concept of dentistry, which means that there’s no real cause for it. Or, if there is a cause, usually it is pain - no one wants to be in pain, do they? If pain is the cause of your fear, it’s important to discuss this with your dentist, so that they can reassure you that dentistry does not have to be painful. By working out the cause of your fear, you can make coping with it much easier.
Your dentist is not the enemy. Believe it or not, they simply want to ensure that your teeth are being looked after.
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This post was written by a contributing author in collaboration with primadonna-style.com
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