28 February 2024

Navigating Dental Anxiety: Confronting Common Concerns for a Positive Dental Experience

4 most common reasons why people hate the dentist, and why they’re wrong.

Dental anxiety can evoke strong emotions, and the mere mention of the “D” word can bring back unpleasant feelings for many. Here are our top 4 reasons why people may dread the dentist, along with insights into overcoming these concerns for a more positive dental experience.

Dental anxiety

1. Fear of Pain

The thought of pain at the dentist is a primary source of anxiety for many individuals, often rooted in past negative experiences. By not going to a dentist regularly – cavities and the possibility of pain will be more likely; this is why coming to the dentist is often associated with pain; because patients only come in when they are in pain or think something is wrong with their teeth. This obviously will make them associate pain with the dentist!

How to overcome it: Proactive dental care and advancements in dentistry, such as local anesthetics, ensure that dental procedures are virtually painless. Seeking treatment before pain escalates allows for timely intervention, breaking the cycle of fear and promoting ongoing oral health.

Essentially, the more regular your visit, the less likely you are to experience pain – making it easier to go to the dentist.

Dentist using a drill

2. Fear of the Drill

Dental anxiety related to the drill can arise due to a variety of reasons, possibly the sound or even the vibrations in your mouth. The fact is, is that the “drilling” sound you hear is the sound of a tool called a Prophy Handpiece. This handpiece is small and has a little rubber head attached to it, used to polish your teeth – not drill them!

How to overcome it: Dentists actively address this fear by refraining from using the term “drill,” allowing patients to use earphones to draw your attention away from the sound and adopting shorter bursts of time with the handpiece to provide reassuring breaks during the procedure.

3. Fear of Diagnosis and Treatment

Some individuals fear the severity of potential dental issues, leading them to avoid regular check-ups. Embracing regular dental visits is crucial for preventive care, allowing for the early identification of issues and the implementation of strategies to prevent extensive and costly treatments. Confronting the fear of diagnosis paves the way for proactive oral health management.

How to overcome it: Regular dental check-ups enable preventive care and early identification of issues. Confronting the fear of diagnosis allows for proactive oral health management, minimizing the severity of potential dental problems. Timely intervention leads to less extensive and costly treatments, promoting a positive dental experience.

4. Fear of the Cost of Dental Treatment

Delaying dental visits until issues become painful often results in more complex and expensive treatments. Regular check-ups enable the early detection of problems, leading to more cost-effective and manageable interventions. Implementing preventative measures further reduces the likelihood of extensive dental work, making routine dental care a wise investment.

How to overcome it:  Routine dental check-ups allow for the early detection of issues, resulting in more cost-effective treatments. Implementing preventative measures further reduces the likelihood of extensive dental work – like regularly brushing and flossing, avoiding excessive eating of sugary foods, and getting your teeth cleaned once every 4-6 months.

Whilst the concern for the cost of treatment is understood even by the dentist, the long-term investment in routine dental care pays off by maintaining oral health and preventing painful and costly issues.