{"id":2507,"date":"2023-05-01T19:30:45","date_gmt":"2023-05-01T19:30:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/anitasanz.com\/?p=2507"},"modified":"2024-09-02T21:23:58","modified_gmt":"2024-09-02T21:23:58","slug":"whos-afraid-of-the-dentist","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/anitasanz.com\/wp-dev\/whos-afraid-of-the-dentist\/","title":{"rendered":"Who\u2019s Afraid of the Dentist?"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n
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Odontophobia or Dentophobia<\/h4>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

You know if you have it\u2026a fear of going to the dentist.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

It\u2019s the smell of the office.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

It\u2019s the sound of the drill.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

It\u2019s the fear that it\u2019s going to hurt.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

If you\u2019ve put off having dental work done, it\u2019s the embarrassment of having to admit you\u2019ve let your teeth go for however long\u2026and the fear you will be judged or lectured to and feel humiliated.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

It\u2019s Different for Abuse Survivors<\/h5>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Psychotherapists know that for survivors of childhood physical or sexual abuse, it\u2019s a different experience. Having to lie down, and have objects placed in one\u2019s mouth for X-rays or to make dental impressions can feel impossible to cope with.\u00a0 It can invoke feelings of dread, anxiety, and trigger sheer panic. They may be afraid that they will \u201close it\u201d in the dental chair, and everyone is going to think they\u2019re not normal.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Because, come on, who\u2019s afraid of the dentist?<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Most People Are Afraid of the Dentist<\/h5>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Actually, \u00a0over 75% of people have some dental fear, and 5-10% of those individuals have a true dental phobia, meaning their level of fear is so severe they avoid seeing a dentist no matter what the cost to their dental health. So whether you just don\u2019t like going to the dentist, or you refuse to go altogether, you\u2019re not alone!<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

The Key to a Good Dental Visit: Your Dentist<\/h5>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

You have to communicate\u00a0with your dentist and explain that you experience some (or a lot of) anxiety\u00a0about dental visits, and that you need extra information, time, medication, or other assistance in managing dental procedures. If they laugh or\u00a0minimize your concerns, then you immediately find a different dentist.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Your dentist should be the\u00a0first person<\/strong>\u00a0who takes your need for information,\u00a0gentle explanation, and help in managing the dental visit seriously. If you have this kind of dentist, you will be able to tell him or her what you want and don\u2019t want, what you can handle and can\u2019t handle, what you need them to do and need for them to never do during a visit.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

A Good Dentist Makes a Huge Difference<\/h5>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

I had some really bad experiences with dentists when I was a child, and it was important to me that I be able to trust that my dentist would listen to me about what I needed.\u00a0 I had a conversation about this with\u00a0my dentist<\/a>\u00a0at my very first visit, and he was interested, sensitive and responsive. Because of this,\u00a0 I trust him, and together we make a great team in keeping my smile healthy.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

It\u2019s Not All About Your Teeth<\/h5>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
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Your teeth are important. In fact, if your teeth and gums\u00a0aren\u2019t healthy, there are a lot of other organ systems in your body that will be adversely affected. What\u2019s even more important is that you feel whole, respected, in control, and able to allow what needs to be done for your health\u2026it\u2019s really about YOU.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Help for Dental Fear<\/h4>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

There are many resources for you if you experience mild to excessive fear of visiting the dentist. I have listed some of them below, with their links. Counseling and medications can help you to lower your anxiety and help you get through a dental visit without your heart rate increasing dramatically. For the\u201d dental phobe\u201d, it may allow you to finally make that long-put-off dental appointment.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

The best advice I can give you about your teeth is to \u201conly floss the ones you want to keep.\u201d The best advice I can give you about going to the dentist is \u201cgo and make friends with your dentist.\u201d It will be one of the best things you\u2019ve ever done. \u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\n

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Dr<\/em>.\u00a0Anita Sanz<\/em>, PhD, Psychologist<\/p>\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Tips for abuse survivors and their dentists:\u00a0click here<\/a><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Dental phobia support forum:\u00a0click here<\/a><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Dental Fear Central website: click here<\/a><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\n

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