Hesitant About Visiting Your Dentist? There’s Nothing to Worry About!

Not everyone is a fan of visiting the dentist; people often recoil at the very thought of sitting back in a chair and having their mouth worked on. “Dentophobia,” or the debilitating fear of receiving dental treatment, is a phenomenon that affects many; however, this fear stems from a wide range of different causes. Here are some of the most common reasons for why people are hesitant to visit their dentist, along with ways to overcome them.

What Causes People to Avoid the Dentist?

You probably can’t measure the number of existing reasons that cause dental fear, but a few of the recurring ones include:

• Fear – This is the big one; whether it’s trauma from a past visit, or you’re intimidated about a future visit, nothing drives patients away from the dentist quite like fear does. It’s understandable to feel a little uneasy when you glance to your side and see all those sharp metal instruments, neatly lined up and waiting.
• Worry – Even if you aren’t showing any symptoms, that doesn’t mean everything is all good and well, and you might be concerned that your dentist will find something problematic. A small, symptomless problems that remains hidden can turned into a nasty problem if neglected.
• Lack of Insurance or Unaffordability – Patients are also deterred due to a lack of insurance, or by not being able to afford a certain procedure. Dental care can be an expensive investment, and the financial implications are rightfully concerning.

Tips For Conquering Your Fear of the Dentist

You should know that dentists are very aware of the fear that patients can experience; at the end of the day, they just want to help you get the treatment you need! Some things you can do to overcome any reluctancy include:

• Finding A Dentist You Like – Seeing a dentist that you’re comfortable with will dispel a lot of your fear. This also allows you to build rapport and establish a relationship with them; it’s much easier to trust someone with those sharp metal tools if you know them well. Not to mention, many dentists are very friendly and love getting to know their patients!
• Scheduling an Appointment and Showing Up with Confidence – If you’re going to make an appointment, it would be in your best interest to follow through and show up. Your dentist isn’t going to judge or yell at you; rather, they’ll want to have an honest conversation about your teeth. In the end, they just want to fix your smile, so give them the chance to!
• Consider the Long-Term – Think about your teeth in terms of an investment; the cost of a checkup now will be much less than the cost of a serious procedure in the future. Most offices also have flexibility when it comes to financing and affording treatment, so squeezing your oral care into your budget is certainly doable.

It isn’t weird to be afraid of the dentist or hesitant about going; many people share your reluctance! However, this doesn’t mean you have to jeopardize your oral health; with some effort, a little bit of courage, and the right dentist by your side, you can get your smile back into action.

About the Practice

The elite team of Dr. Jayme Glamm, Dr. Sydney Sheridan, and Dr. Eric Buck lead Third Street Dental. They proudly offer a wide range of available services to the Columbus area including general, restorative, cosmetic, and emergency dentistry, among others. If you or a loved one have any questions about the article or about dental fear, you can contact the practice through their website or by telephone: (614) 228-4850.