A dental phobia (also commonly referred to as an irrational fear) is a feeling of anxiety associated with visiting a dental practice. If you are an individual who is experiencing fear at the thought of visiting a dentist Meath, you are not alone. Despite common misconception, dental phobias are extremely common and around 53% of the population suffer from fear or anxiety when visiting their local dental clinic. Many patients may feel extremely uncomfortable when visiting the dentist, but a smaller number of the population (17%) have anxiety which may deter them from visiting the dentist at all.
Why it’s important to attend your regular dental check-up
Patients that miss their regular dental appointment may be putting their oral health in danger. Dental health is more important than individuals may believe, the build-up of bacteria can unfortunately lead to the development of oral diseases such as gum disease. The likely presence of oral cancer may also need to be assessed, which can be performed quickly during a dental check-up.
During a regular dental check-up (it is suggested that patients visit their dentist twice a year) patients can expect to receive an overall assessment of the teeth, and the gums.
What else to expect
Aside from an overall assessment, each individual tooth may be tracked, meaning that cavities can be located, which may then require fillings. Aside from cavities, your dentist may also ask about any areas of the mouth where you are experiencing sensitivity, a solution can then be found to alleviate this.
How can your local dental clinic help you with your dental anxiety?
Within modern dentistry, many practices are aware of nervous patients, and therefore have means to help them. An individual experiencing anxiety may be comforted by a modern, and inviting dental environment. Dental teams who are aware of a nervous patient may speak to them before a treatment to set their mind at rest or suggest methods which can help them.
Treatments
Sedation is a form of treatment that can ease patient nerves, when undergoing dental treatments. There are several forms of sedation, one of which is in the form of tablets. Patients can take tablets orally before treatment, but can also receive sedation intravenously through their hand or their arm.
Intravenous sedation allows patients to interact with the dentist during their treatment, (meaning they are not completely sedated) however they will feel calmer when receiving their dental treatment.
How is dental anxiety linked to your local dentist developed?
A dental phobia may be caused by a wide variety of reasons. Negative childhood experiences of the dentist can unfortunately be carried into adulthood, which can lead to a negative reaction to any dental scenario. Although there are other reasons why this may develop, the most probable cause may be due to an extremely traumatic past event, such as discomfort experienced by a filling, or childhood orthodontics.
How it’s maintained
The continued anxiety may be caused by a reluctance to visit the dentist and the avoidance of facing up to their fear. Patients who avoid visiting the dentist may be maintaining their phobia, by not receiving help which could come in the form of cognitive behaviour therapy.