Dentophobia: how to overcome your fear of the dentist?
How awful! Does a dentist appointment keep you awake? Do you break out in a cold sweat just thinking about it? Do you get knots in your stomach when you approach the door of your dentist’s office? Then you may be suffering from dentophobia.
Phobias are extreme fears, anxieties experienced when faced with certain objects or very specific situations.
What is dentophobia?
Dentophobia is the fear that some people feel at the thought of a visit to the dentist or the anxiety they feel at the approach of a simple routine appointment.
Do you have a toothache but are still hesitant to go to the dentist? Do you have to pluck up the courage to walk through the door of your dental clinic? Know that you are not alone!
Signs of dental phobia
Here are some signs that might help you detect your dentophobia:
You are particularly nervous about an appointment with your dentist;
You neglect your routine visits;
You constantly postpone your appointment because you are afraid of seeing the dentist;
You ignore your dental problems, even when they cause you severe pain;
Your heart rate increases or you feel physical discomfort at the mere thought of having dental work, even if it is just a cleaning;
You feel like you are literally losing control when it comes to dentistry.
What causes dental phobia?
It may be that a bad past experience is at the root of your dental phobia. Most often, this negative memory goes back to childhood. It may be that a close friend or family member has passed on their own dentophobia to you. Perhaps it is your fear of needles that makes you anxious when you visit the dentist. These fears are completely normal. However, know that dentists are very sensitive to your concerns and will do everything they can to reassure you.
If you find yourself postponing your dental appointments because of your anxiety, be aware that these delays could cause you many other inconveniences and lead to a much more significant intervention and, consequently, increase your stress even more.
This is why it is important not to neglect your dental follow-ups.
Solutions to overcome your fear
If you recognize yourself in the few introductory lines of this article, don’t hesitate: talk to your dentist about it!
He will certainly be empathetic and will be even more attentive to your stress.
Once notified, your dentist may also, if necessary, prescribe medication that will help reduce your stress. He may use nitrous oxide (laughing gas) or a mild anxiolytic. These, combined with local anesthesia , will help make your visit to Chez Le Dentiste a less stressful experience.
Other options are also available to you: you could opt to participate in a support group. Acupuncture or hypnosis are also effective for some patients struggling with dental phobia. The team at Chez Le Dentiste is used to treating patients who are anxious about a dental visit and knows how to adapt in order to make your experience as pleasant and stress-free as possible. Dentists, hygienists and dental assistants are there to listen to you and show you the greatest empathy.
Dental phobia in children
Children may be even more likely than adults to feel anxious about their upcoming dental appointment.
As a parent, you can prepare your child a few days before the appointment by talking to him about his upcoming visit. This way, he will know what to expect and will not have any unpleasant surprises.
You can also invite your child to be present during your own teeth cleaning. This will allow them to observe and become familiar with the dentist’s actions.
There is no harm in feeling anxious about going to the dentist. Quite the opposite, and it is important to talk to him about it.
Are you now ready for your next appointment? Go ahead! Take your courage in both hands and contact us if you are struggling with dentophobia. The team at Chez Le Dentiste will take the time to listen to you and will find the right words and solutions to reassure you.
