Oral health is often considered one of the most visible elements of our general wellbeing. The fear of the dentist wollongong, on the other hand, is arguably just as common. This frequent phobia can come from various emotions, including concerns about your oral health and even negative experiences at the dentist as a child. We’ve seen our fair share of apprehensive patients at The Dental Lounge dentist in Pompano Beach. We understand how stressful a visit can be for some patients, and we understand that many of them have Dentophobia. While we want to make each patient feel at ease, comfortable, and stress-free in our practice, we also wish to offer some advice to those with this common phobia.
Phobia vs. Fear
Phobias and fears are commonly used interchangeably. However, there are significant differences between the two mental states. Fear is a strong dislike that can lead to avoidance, but it’s not something you think about until the object you’re afraid of appears. A phobia, on the other hand, is a considerably more severe sort of fear. Phobias are a sort of anxiety disorder that can cause a great deal of distress and aversion, to the point where they interfere with your everyday life.
Another feature of a phobia is that it isn’t anything that will likely damage you in the real world, but you can’t help but believe it will. When it comes to going to the dentist, being afraid can lead to you avoiding appointments until they are required.
Effects
A phobia of the dentist is frequently the result of bad experiences in the past. You may have had a fear of the dentist as a child, and these sentiments have remained with you throughout your life.
Some people are also scared of the noises made by the instruments used by dentists and dental hygienists for teeth cleaning and exams, so just thinking about them might cause anxiety. Aside from worries and phobias stemming from prior experiences, it’s also possible to be afraid of the dentist due to concerns about your dental health. Perhaps you have a toothache or bleeding gums, or you haven’t visited the dentist in months or years and are frightened of unpleasant news.
Use These Tips From Our Pompano Beach Dentist
We recognize that this phobia will not go away easily. Phobias do exist. While we encourage regular check-ups and visits to our dentist’s office, we recognize that genuine treatment is required rather than a process. While delaying treatment for a tooth condition might have unintended repercussions, and avoiding the dentist at all costs can lead to tooth decay and poor oral hygiene, we encourage that patients with this fear consider their treatment choices so that they do not have to suffer needlessly. Consider the following treatment options:
- Seek the advice of a competent and qualified mental health practitioner.
- CBT (cognitive-behavioral therapy) should be used.
- Choose a dentist with whom you are at ease.
When your phobia has subsided to a reasonable level, contact us and let us help you relax. We also recommend that you follow these guidelines:
- Please let us know if you have this phobia when you call to schedule an appointment.
- When you need to take a break, let your dentist in Pompano Beach know.
- Speak with us about sedatives or relaxing medications that are appropriate for you.
- Keep in mind that you are always in command.
At The Dental Lounge, we provide a variety of solutions to make you feel at ease. We have a private operating room and sedation alternatives such as IV sedation and nitrous oxide to help you relax. Please use our handy online contact form or call us at (954) 686 5729 to schedule an appointment with our friendly Pompano Beach Dentist. Our team at The Dental Lounge is ready to meet all of your needs and ensure that your treatment with us is as stress-free as possible.
