Dental visits often mean enduring discomfort and pain for the price of good oral hygiene. For most of us we can live with having some anxiety about going to Glastonbury dentist. For those with dental phobia, however, the thought of a dental visit is terrifying and that they'll do just about anything to avoid a dental appointment this is what we called dental phobia.
Dental phobia is a recognized psychiatric disorder defined as exaggerated and irrational fear of dentists and dental procedures. A study has been conducted and reveals that almost 25 percent of the American population suffers from the disorder.
Dental phobia is most often caused by bad or in some cases horrific, dental experiences at an early age and a further reinforced by comments that they hear from other people. Pain is the most frequent cause of this bad experience, but it is not necessarily a cause of dental phobia especially if the dentist from Glastonbury cosmetic dentistry is caring and compassionate during the procedure.
Some cases of dental phobia are also attributed to dentists who are indifferent and insincere that may make negative remarks to the patients. There are several patients who are sensitive to comments expressed by the dentist about oral hygiene, even if the remarks are intended to be helpful particularly if the patient has backgrounds of physical or emotional abuse.
In mild forms, the affected person usually experiences anxiety symptoms in facing dental treatment the night before and increase anxiety when going to the clinic. In moderate forms, the phobia may cause panic attacks and in at the extreme, a person with dental phobia may never see a dentist.
Dental fear can be so overwhelming for these affected people that they avoid regular checkups to their dentist that leads to poor oral health, eventually resulting in loose or broken teeth and gum disease. Unattractive teeth may hinder a person's willingness to smile and laugh or to talk with others affecting social, emotional and their professional life. To teenagers there is often a serious loss of self-esteem and could be dangerous if they experience bullying out of dental problems. Poor oral hygiene is synonymous with poor overall health and conditions such as heart disease and lung problems might develop.
Dental phobia can be treated and the first step is to make the patient voluntarily acknowledge the fears. Cure of the phobia generally involve dentists and psychologists who merge to help patients get over their dental fears using various behavioral treatments.
