Dentists are professionals who often work when a person is suffering from severe pain, which inevitably leads them to associate dentists with such pain. Visiting the dentist regularly is extremely important so that you can avoid these problems from happening or prevent them from causing even worse consequences. Even so, many people are afraid of dentists. But why does this happen? And how can you overcome this fear? If this is a question you also have, read this article to the end and check out all the information we have for you!
Why are people afraid of the dentist?
Fear is a type of feeling that is not easy to explain. It can have its origins in various sources and different moments in a person’s life. However, when we speak more specifically about fear of the dentist, it is very common to hear stories of dental trauma, unsuccessful treatments, or even the association of moments of intense pain with this professional, as we already mentioned.
It is also very common to see people who are afraid of the tools dentists use, such as pliers, applicators, and cutting instruments, for example. However, it’s important to know that the fear is not exactly of the appointment itself, but rather of what it might cause you. The fear of tooth extraction, for example, is really more about the pain this process might bring than the pliers themselves.
If you are afraid of the dentist, it is important to investigate and understand why this happens. This is the first step for you to overcome this fear and be able to take care of your teeth properly.
How to overcome fear of the dentist?
There are many techniques for overcoming fear that can be adopted or adapted for this particular type of fear. But as we’ve mentioned in the article, it’s important that you know the origin of your phobia and reflect on it. Ask yourself questions, like:
- What am I really afraid of? Is it the pain? Is it having contact with this type of professional? Is it the discomfort certain tools cause me?
- Do I really need to be scared of this?
- What are the practical consequences of a visit to the dentist?
The general recommendation is that if your fear is so great that it prevents you from even trying to go to the dentist, you should seek psychological help. A psychologist will help you better understand yourself, deal with your fears and frustrations, and, together with you, find a way out of this problem.
Another recommendation is quite simple: Go to the dentist. Of course, you don’t have to jump right into the “most painful” procedures, but it’s important to get used to the environment and realize that it doesn’t pose any danger to you. Talking to the dentist about your fear is also always important so that they know your situation and can work with you in a special way.
In short, the help of professionals is always the best solution so that you can overcome this problem without more serious consequences.
Why is it so important to visit a dentist regularly?
To help you understand why overcoming the fear of the dentist is so important, we also need to talk about the importance of visiting a dentist. For this reason, we’ve listed some key points below for you to better understand this topic. They are:
- You prevent Problems
- You correct Problems early on
- You identify other Medical Needs
Let’s talk a bit more in depth about each of these, so you fully understand the importance of seeing a dentist regularly.
You prevent Problems
Perhaps the main reason why visiting a dentist regularly is so important is related to preventing problems. Cavities, tartar, and the formation of bacterial plaque are just a few of the issues that can arise when cleaning isn’t done properly. With regular visits to the dentist, it is much harder for this to happen.
You correct Problems early on
Even if problems such as cavities do arise, for example, there are easier and harder ways to deal with them. The easiest solutions are precisely those that happen when they are still in their initial phase and therefore haven’t caused as much damage yet. This logic applies to practically every other problem that may arise in your mouth. Going a long time without seeing a dentist can create the perfect conditions for this type of problem to emerge. And no one wants to go through a painful process.
You identify other Medical Needs
Of course, the job of a dentist is always to identify possible issues that they can fix. However, it is quite common for this type of professional to also identify other diseases, such as oral cancer or HPV, for example. In these cases, the dentist will refer you to specialists in those fields so you can undergo the necessary tests. And getting early diagnoses of these diseases is another major benefit of visiting a dentist regularly.
It might not seem so, but fear of the dentist is much more common than people think. And even if this happens to you, the most important thing is to be aware that this phobia exists and to act so you overcome it as soon as possible. As we already mentioned, it is extremely important that you visit a dentist at least once every 6 months so you can be free of any problem that could cause you negative consequences in the future. Taking care of your phobias is also taking care of your mental health. And that will always bring positive results to your life.
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