There are many people who do not seek help from a Dentist or Hygienist due to dental anxiety/dental phobias.
Approximately 15% of Americans (Approximately 45 million people) deal with having dental anxiety or phobia.
Dental anxiety is a generalized apprehension with the unfamiliar and most times after meeting with a knowledgeable dentist this is easily managed. Dental phobia on the other hand is a strong and illogical reaction to a circumstance or item that is seen as frightening. Overcoming a dental phobia is more difficult in comparison to overcoming dental anxiety.
If you have a dental phobia you need to view your experience as a journey as it will take time for you to overcome what is holding you back.
There is no quick fix and it requires taking small steps and going slow throughout this process. Being able to reach out to a compassionate dental team and communicating your needs is the first and essential step in the process.
I personally also dealt with dental phobia and avoided the dentist for years when I was younger. My dental phobia is what triggered or inspired me to go to dental hygiene school to learn everything I could about what scared me.
This was no small task to say the least. I remember attending dental hygiene school with men and women whom most of them had really nice teeth. Then there was me (ha ha) action packed with fillings and not very straight teeth.
Nonetheless, my dental journey has been one for the books. I pushed forward and with every step I took and every day I learned more about the things that held me back from taking care of myself.
There is truth in the statement knowledge is power.
Now I am not saying running out and going to dental school is the answer for everyone but it just happens to be where my journey has lead me. More importantly, it has enabled me to be empowered about my dental care and passionate about helping others on their journeys.
If you are struggling with dental anxiety/phobia do not be embarrassed we realize dental anxiety/phobia is REAL!
Here are some small beginner steps that you can take to help get things rolling.
Beginners Steps to Overcome Dental Anxiety/Phobia:
- Do some research to find a compassionate dental team
- Place an email or phone call to the dental team
- Set up a meet and greet (that does not necessarily involve sitting in the dental chair)
- Be bold and communicate what is preventing you from seeking care
The last step is probably the most challenging for some as it requires having an open discussion and often people feel embarrassed about their feelings or their dental state.
Communication is fundamental when working on decreasing your dental anxiety/phobia.
It is important to talk with your dentist and his/her team about how you feel. By doing so it is the first step in forming a healthy working relationship with your dental team. Trust is earned gradually and in time (which is different for everyone) coming to the dentist will eventually be a relaxed and comfortable experience.
If you or someone you know is struggling with dental anxiety we are ready to help. I encourage you to be bold and keep in mind that our dental team is compassionate and non judgmental.
We understand that often a bad experience has led some to feel the way they do. There are many ways in which we can accommodate you and make your dental visit a positive one. Thank you for reading my blog and if you are struggling with this I hope to see you sometime in the future.
Have additional questions about how to overcome dental anxiety/phobia or how we can help you improve your smile and your confidence? Don’t hesitate to Contact Us or leave a reply below and we will be happy to try and answer them for you!
