Dental phobia is more common than ordinary people may think. This condition, which afflicts thousands of people, shouldn’t be ignored because it can prevent you from receiving critical oral care. Without proper oral care, you’re exposing yourself to risks of serious dental ailments that can detriment your overall health.
There are different causes of dental fear, one of which is an unpleasant experience. If you experienced too much pain from a dental treatment as a child, it might have perpetuated a fear into adulthood. Stories and scenes from movies and books that associate pain to dental visits are another source of this fear, especially for children. Whatever the cause of your dental phobia, you must overcome it to attend to our dental health. The good news is that there are ways to cope with it.
Communicate with Your Dentist
Being open and honest about your fear with a dentist in Greenville, SC is one of the most important steps in building trust and rapport between the two of you. Your dentist should understand where the fear is coming from so that he or she can come up with a treatment plan that reduces your apprehension. It must be a plan that puts you more at ease while making you feel you’re still in control.
Use Relaxation Techniques
Controlled breathing is one technique you can use when you start feeling that heaviness in your chest and tightness in your stomach due to anxiety. Inhale and exhale through the nose for three seconds. This will help calm your nerves.
You can also bring gadgets, games or materials that relax you to the clinic. Listen to calming music or read a good book to distract your mind from thoughts about the looming procedure.
Join Counseling and Support Networks
For severe phobia, you can seek counseling with a therapist who can help determine the root cause of your fear and thereby overcome it. There are also support networks in which you can meet people experiencing the same phobia. This will help you feel that you’re not alone and make it easier for you to deal with the condition.
Dentists in Greenville, SC can help ensure your oral health, but only if you visit them regularly. Don’t let your fear damage your general health; follow these tips and techniques.
Source:
Overcoming Dental Fear & Anxiety, deardoctor.com
Don’t Fear the Dentist, WebMD.com