If the thought of going to the dentist makes you feel nervous, you are certainly not alone. For some people, it is little more than a feeling of unease before an appointment. For others, it can be much stronger. The idea of sitting in the dental chair can cause genuine anxiety, and some people will go to considerable lengths to avoid it.
There are plenty of reasons why somebody might feel this way. Perhaps they had an unpleasant experience as a child, are worried about pain, dislike the sounds and smells of a dental practice, or simply feel uncomfortable about somebody working so close to their face.
Whatever the reason, dental anxiety is nothing to be embarrassed about and avoiding the dentist may bring short term ‘relief’ but the consequences could make things much worse.
There is no single explanation for dental phobia. A bad experience in the past can certainly play a part. Dentistry has changed considerably over the years, and treatment that may have been uncomfortable decades ago can often be carried out much more comfortably today.
Some people are particularly worried about pain. Others dislike the feeling of being unable to speak while treatment is taking place or feel vulnerable when lying back in the dental chair.
The noise of a dental drill can be enough to make some people tense up, even when they understand that modern dentistry is much less frightening than their imagination suggests, and that the modern equipment such as we have at the Smile Dental Practice makes the treatment more efficient and usually less uncomfortable.
For somebody who already feels anxious, even a routine appointment can therefore become a major event but avoiding appointments is not the answer.
One of the difficulties with dental anxiety is that avoiding the dentist can actually reinforce the fear. If you have missed an appointment because you are worried about what might happen, any problem you have will only worsen and, knowing that you may need more extensive treatment because of your delay, your dental anxiety is likely to become even worse.
One of the simplest things you can do is to tell our Bromley dental clinic about your anxiety when you have an appointment coming up, or, if this is a regular thing, when you book your appointment with us. This allows the team to understand that you may need a little more reassurance and perhaps more explanation about what is happening.
You should never feel embarrassed about saying that you are anxious. Believe us, this is very common!
Some patients find it reassuring to agree on a simple signal before treatment begins. For example, you might agree that raising your hand means you would like the dentist to stop for a moment so that you can compose yourself before they continue.
Even just knowing that you can ask for a break can give you a greater sense of control.
Not knowing what is about to happen can make anxiety worse.
If you are concerned about a particular treatment, ask the dentist to explain it beforehand. You might want to know how long it is likely to take, what you will feel and whether you are likely to experience any discomfort. You do not need to understand every technical detail. Sometimes a simple explanation of what is about to happen is enough to take some of the mystery out of the procedure. Of course, if you prefer not to know, that is perfectly OK too.
If you have avoided the dentist for a long time, it can be tempting to imagine the first appointment as a huge ordeal in which everything that has gone wrong over the years will be dealt with at once. It does not have to be like that. If you are very anxious, the first appointment can simply be an opportunity to talk and have your mouth examined without receiving any treatment that day.
Once the dentist has assessed your teeth and gums, you can discuss what needs doing and agree on a sensible way forward. For many people, taking things in smaller stages makes a considerable difference.
Some patients are embarrassed because they haven’t seen a dentist in years and assume that the dentist will ‘lecture’ them about it when they see their teeth and gums. Dentists, however, see all sorts of problems every day. Their job is to help you improve your oral health, not to make you feel bad about what has happened in the past.
If you know that you are likely to feel nervous, try to make your appointment as easy as possible. Choose a time when you are not going to be rushing to get there. Arriving with time in hand is generally preferable to running through the door already feeling stressed.
Some people find slow, controlled breathing helpful. Concentrating on taking a few steady breaths can stop anxiety from building into panic. Others might try meditation or relaxation techniques. You might also find it useful to write down any questions or concerns beforehand. When you are nervous, it is surprisingly easy to forget what you wanted to ask.
For some people, ordinary reassurance is not enough.
If your dental phobia is severe, speak to your dentist. Depending on your circumstances and the treatment required, there may be additional ways of helping you manage your anxiety.
Some patients may benefit from the conscious sedation options that we have available at the Smile Dental Practice to help them through their treatment. Patients often can’t even remember having the treatment with this. It will remain in your system for a little while afterwards though so you will need to bring a responsible adult with you to make sure you get home safely.
If you have suffered from dental anxiety in the past and have been putting off seeing a dentist, why not change this today. Give us a call and we can arrange an initial consultation with one of our friendly dental team to discuss your concerns. Often, taking that first step is the most important one for having healthy teeth and gums.
You can contact our Bromley dental practice by calling us on 020 8462 2473; or, if your anxiety is so severe that even talking to us is an issue, you can use the contact form on our website to start things rolling. We look forward to helping you.
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