Tuesday, March 2nd, 2010
We know that most people don’t look forward to visiting the dentist, but for some, it can go far beyond a minor inconvenience or dislike to a true fear or phobia. Understanding the three different types of dental fear is important so you can communicate your concerns to your dentist and he/she can choose the right way to make you as comfortable as possible when you visit for treatment.
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- Dental Anxiety – dental anxiety is a very common issue. This is what many Americans feel before visiting the dentist and when they arrive in the office. Anxiety in this instance refers to feelings of fear due to the unknown. It’s not a crippling fear, though it’s widespread since 75% of people face this.
- Dental Fear – dental fear appears in individuals who have already had a procedure done that has caused pain or discomfort, and they are fearful of feeling those sensations again when it becomes time. For some people, dental fear can develop from a process as simple as teeth cleaning, or it may appear for something more invasive like a root canal. In some cases, it might not even be a previous experience, someone simply telling the patient about the pain or discomfort may cause this fear.
- Dental Phobia – this is a real psychological aversion the visiting the dentist. Fear can arise just from seeing a dental office or something associated with the dentist. This category of fear can also be challenging for a dentist to treat when the patient is conscious
No matter which type of fear you may have when it comes to visiting the dentist, make sure that your oral health isn’t compromised. Talk to your dentist and see what they can do to make sure you receive appropriate treatment in a way that helps you remain more at ease.
Via: Medical News Today
Tags: dental fear, dental phobia, new york dentist, scared of dentist, ToothSavers
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