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Dental fear

What is dental fear?

Dental fear is one of the most common fear. Individuals with high levels of dental fear and anxiety often attribute their anxiety to their experience of a traumatic past dental event. It has been suggested that when the traumatic dental episode occurs in childhood it has a lasting effect with regard to adult dental fear and anxiety. There is a significant relationship between child and parental dental fear.

People often use the words “anxiety” and “phobia” to mean the same thing, but they are different.

Those with dental anxiety will have a sense of uneasiness when it’s time for their appointments. They’ll have exaggerated or unfounded worries or fears. Dental phobia is a more serious condition. It’s an intense fear or dead. People with dental phobia aren’t merely anxious. They are terrified or panic stricken.

Why is it dangerous?

People with dental phobia have a higher risk of gum disease and early tooth loss. Avoiding the dentist may have emotional costs as well. Discolored or damaged teeth can make people self-conscious and insecure. They may smile less or keep their mouths partly closed when they speak. Some people can become so embarrassed about how their teeth look that their personal and professional lives begin to suffer. There is often a serious loss of self-esteem. People with dental phobia also may suffer from poorer health in general, and even lower life expectancy. This is because poor oral health has been found to be related to some life-threatening conditions, such as heart disease and lung infections.

There are many reasons why people may be terrified of the dentist, for example:

  • a fear of needle of fear of blood
  • pain during dental treatment,
  • the sound of the drill
  • feeling trapped in the dentist’s chair
  • negative past experience
  • embarrassment
  • having avoided dentists for a very long time, and being so terrified of what a dentist might say or find that it has become impossible to even contemplate going.

How can you handle dental fear?

The key to coping with dental anxiety is to discuss your fears with your dentist. Once your dentist knows what your fears are, he or she will be better able to work with you to determine the best ways to make you less anxious and more comfortable. If your dentist doesn’t take your fear seriously, find another dentist.

If lack of control is one of your main stressors, actively participating in a discussion with your dentist about your treatment can ease your tension. Ask your dentist to explain what’s happening at every stage of the procedure. This way you can mentally prepare for what’s to come. Another helpful strategy is to establish a signal — such as raising your hand — when you want the dentist to immediately stop. Use this signal whenever you are uncomfortable, need to rinse your mouth, or simply need to catch your breath.

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Dental fear in Evergreen Dental

We specialize in treating patients with dental anxiety, so we regularly see patients that have not been to the dentist for years or even decades as they have been scared of the dentist but need treatment after all.  At Evergreen Dental we have vast experience with treating anxious patients.  We are fully prepared so we can help our patients eliminate any possible stress and chair phobia with empathy in order to be able to carry out the dental treatment,.

One will sense this as early as the first arrival, since our friendly team makes every effort to take care so that there will be no reason to be afraid. Besides, we strive to minimize waiting times, to ensure the treatment progresses seamlessly, so that the shortest time necessary is spent in the waiting room.

Our dentists are highly emphatic and have a smoothing effect on patients. On occasion of each and every treatment, one will perceive how they care when the dentist provides with a precise explanation on what will happen and handles the problem with utmost tactfulness. Of course, all our patients get a calming cocktail and tablets to help overcome the vomiting reflex and to loosen spasms. All treatments are done on local anesthetics allowing a completely painless treatment.

We can offer – in conjunction with our anesthesiologist team – the option of general anaesthesia as well, so that one can be getting put to sleep at the dentist to have a pleasant time during treatment, without even noticing what is happening. We are specialized in treatments conducted in general anaesthesia, therefore many tremulous patients choose us consciously as we have the best dentists for nervous patiens. We are ready to provide you with detailed information on this method.

Do you have any more questions? Do not hesitate to contact us!

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