According to a study published in the international journal Medical Principles and Practice in 2013, around 36% of the population fears going to the dentist. The same study also mentioned that an additional 12% are currently suffering from severe dental anxiety.
People who have dental phobia are believed to have a condition that’s worse than general anxiety. Most would do their best to avoid visiting a dentist in Lakeville and may only do so when forced.
For others, they may experience sleeping difficulties, nervousness, or extreme discomfort even at the thought of going to a Lakeville dental clinic.
So what causes dental fear in some individuals?
Several reasons exist as to why there are people who have severe dental anxiety. One of the most prevalent of these causes is fearing the pain that they might feel during a visit.
Fear of pain is often a result of an earlier encounter that has led a person to go through an unpleasant experience at a dental facility. It could have been because of certain procedures that were applied or their dentists in Lakeville, MN were not as gentle as they expected.
If pain isn’t the problem, then another common reason for dental phobia is the terrifying thought of needles. Painkilling injections are often used by dentists when they need to perform oral surgery – a procedure that will most likely result in pain.
Some individuals simply don’t like the idea of a thin yet sharp piece of metal being inserted into their body, especially their mouth. Apart from being afraid of needles, these people may become panic-stricken as soon as they see the intimidating appearance of the syringe.
Fortunately, modern technology is now available in most dental facilities. Our team utilizes The Wand® STA Instrument that offers a pain-free and computer-assisted anesthetic experience to patients.
The third most common cause is when individuals feel like they don’t have control of the situation. Feeling helpless is understandable particularly when one has to sit tight on a dental chair with their mouth wide open.
At Miller Comfort Dental of Lakeville, MN, we make sure that our patients feel as comfortable as possible and are aware of everything that’s going on throughout their procedures.
Dental phobias can affect any person of any age.
Children who have gone through unfortunate dental experiences in the past are the ones who are usually affected the most. However, teenagers and adults can be just as anxious about getting dental care.
The good news is that overcoming such fear is possible as long as the proper care and support are provided before and after visits to the dentist.
Since dental phobia can be a problem for people of all ages, it’s important to know the various coping techniques to ease this fear.
The following are psychological techniques that can help people cope with their dental anxiety:
These are just some of the methods that could help individuals overcome their fear of the dentist.
It’s important to keep in mind that the key to coping with such anxiety is to talk to the dentist directly. A dentist who is aware of the fears of an individual can perform their work better by knowing the best approach that will make their patient more at ease.
People who are fearful of the lack of control that comes with a dental checkup can discuss expectations with their dentists. This discussion should help ease the tension concerning an upcoming treatment.
A professional dentist will tell their patient what they are about to do and what’s about to happen at every stage of the process, allowing for a person to prepare themselves mentally.
Agreeing to a signal that indicates a dentist should stop is another helpful technique. Patients can use these signals whenever they want to catch a breath or do something to help calm themselves.
As a parent or caregiver of a child, you have a vital role in ensuring that their very first visit to a dentist results in a positive outcome. It’s when things go wrong will the fears of going for a dental visit appear in a young person.
Although being fearful is normal, you can help the child go through their appointment smoothly by comforting them. Assuring them that everything will be okay by the end of the session can go a long way.
Here are a few more tips that might help:
At times, dental anxiety can be so severe that typical coping mechanisms don’t work. That’s why dentists in Lakeville, MN have several methods they can apply to help patients relieve their anxiety. These include:
Fear of going to a dentist in Lakeville is common and can happen to people of all ages. Fortunately, there are ways you can follow to ensure that you can cope and make your dental visits less stressful.
If you are looking for a professional dentist in Minnesota, then Miller Comfort Dental of Lakeville is the one for you. Call us at (952) 388-1778 for more information or book an appointment directly through our website today.
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