Updated 8/13/24
Some people are terrified of going to the dentist. It’s a good idea to overcome this fear because dental care is vital to your overall health. To be sure your teeth and gums are healthy, an annual dental visit is the bare minimum for dental health. If you have an emergency, like a broken tooth or a severe toothache, you’ll need to look for a dentist on demand to find one who can take you immediately.
In addition to the annual examination and x-rays, the dentist will provide dental education. For example, if you ask your dentist daily brushing or flossing is not enough, According to the American Dental Association, brushing and flossing twice daily is the minimum you should do. Those practices will clean and stimulate your teeth and gums and distribute fluoride to prevent cavities.
Part of your dental visit may include dental product reviews. Your dental hygienist may ask you which type of toothbrush and toothpaste you use. If you’re searching for a dentist, you may wonder, “How do I know what dentist takes my insurance?” If the dentist’s online ad doesn’t give a conclusive answer, ask the receptionist before you make an appointment. You’ll be happy you visited a dentist when you did!
Did you know that between 9% and 20% of Americans avoid a trip to the dentist’s office because of anxiety or fear? Dental phobia is a more common problem than you might think. Fear and anxiety can cripple a person, preventing them from getting routine dental procedures, like a cleaning, more serious procedures, like a root canal, and even from cosmetic dentistry’s treatments, like teeth whitening.
Luckily, there are steps that can be taken to help people overcome their fear of dentists. Here are just a few.
Sedation Dentistry. – If you’re so terrified of the dentist that even driving by an office causes you to shake and sweat, you may want to consider sedation dentistry. Oral sedation, IV sedation and nitrous oxide can all help calm a person down while sitting in the dentist’s chair, and allow them to get the care they need.
Specialized Offices. – Believe it or not, there are dentists out there who actually specifically cater to people who have a dental phobia. Their offices are built to be as relaxing, welcoming, and comforting as possible. The doctors there also take extra, precautionary steps to ensure that their patients are as comfortable as possible. They explain what they’re doing, and will stop at any time the patient no longer wants to continue.
Distractions and Relaxation. – If your dental phobia isn’t so severe that you can’t go to an office, but still causes you to feel anxious when in the chair, then perhaps try some distractions and/or relaxation techniques. Bring music with you to listen to when you’re getting taken care of, or try deep breathing and meditation before your visit.
These are just some of the ways people conquer and/or deal with their dental phobias. If you have any questions, or know of any other approaches that may be able to help, feel free to share in the comments.
