We all have dreaded a visit to the dentist clinic, even if it’s for a routine check-up. Having dental anxiety is a very common fear among people, mostly because the very idea of a needle in your mouth or pulling a loose tooth can be scary. Not surprisingly, nearly 30% of all the population feel anxious about going to the dentist.
As mentioned, there are many common reasons why people have dental anxieties. Some of them are:
Needles – some people may not like needles in general. Others don’t like the thought of injections into their gums
The drill – a fear of drilling may be caused by a dislike of the sound and vibration as well as fears about pain
Embarrassment about teeth problems – this can be connected to guilt about poor dental hygiene or bad breath fears
Apart from having these common fears, people are particularly hesitant in going for advanced procedures like dental implants or having a dental x-ray done.
As people comprehend how painful dental implants are the surgery is performed with either local or general anesthesia, therefore, the procedure itself is not painful. Your mouth is numb as the Dental implant is surgically placed into the jaw bone. Normally one might be concerned about discomfort during the procedure itself, there are sedative options which can make you more relaxed while in the dentist’s chair.
Another typical fear among people is the effect of dental x-rays and is it safe for their oral health.
When considering the safety of x-rays, it’s all about the amount of radiation that our bodies are exposed to that matters. With the advancements in medical sciences, the usage of protective gear during the scan, and improvements in x-ray equipment, we are exposed to much less radiation from x-rays now than we were in previous decades.
While some people have mild anxiety about dental procedures, there are some who have irrational fear at even the thought of going to the dentist. There are a few ways you can overcome these fears:
1. Understanding the source of fear:
In order to overcome dental anxiety, the first thing you need to do is understand why you have dental anxiety. Your fear of visiting a dentist can be associated with a childhood memory of pain or the dread of finding a dental ailment that you might not be aware of. There are many underlying factors that contribute to dental phobias and fears. If you can understand your own symptoms you will be one step closer to overcoming them.
2. Talk to your Dentist:
The best way to overcome your dental anxiety is to communicate with the expert, that is your dentist. Opening up about your fears will help your dentist to choose the best procedure for you and he might give you suggestions on conquering it. This will also remove any hesitation that you might have during a procedure and you can easily give him a signal if you need a break. This interaction will also help you understand the procedure and its after effect which can give you reassurance.
3. Use Distractions
If you are scared of the sound of the drill or the use of the needle, you can try distracting yourself during the procedure. Suiting your own comfort and personality, you can choose any technique to soothe your nerves. From listening to calm music to talking to the nurse or just imagining yourself somewhere else can help you distract from the fear. Simple techniques like counting till 1000 can also work in diverting your focus from the procedure.
4. Use Controlled Breathing
The most effective and proven techniques in calming your mind are controlled and easy breathing that allows you to shift your focus from the procedure to completely something else. One of the key causes of dental anxiety is the feeling of gagging and having your breathing interrupted by dental implements in your mouth. With controlled breaths, you can ignore the dental treatment and help relax. A simple breathing technique involves inhaling for 3 seconds through your nose then exhaling for 3 seconds through your nose. This technique is great if you want to focus on your breathing and relax during treatments.
5. Reward Yourself
To prepare yourself for a dental procedure, trick your mind into getting yourself a reward if you get through the treatment. Pamper yourself with a weekend getaway or your favorite outfit or plan a fun activity for yourself in order to overcome the anxiety.
Being one of the best dental clinics in Pune, we at Oswal Dental Clinic are always wary about our patients’ health and provide not just best dental health services but also counseling and guidance on the fears and anxieties that they have for various procedures and misconceptions about oral health.
Dr. Nitin Oswal
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