subject: Keep Your Smile And Overcome Your Dental Anxiety [print this page] Has your anxiety caused you to avoid necessary dental care? If so you are not alone. There is no need to fear going to the dentist for routine dental care as it only increases your risk for oral health problems.
In addition to the costs associated with avoiding necessary dental care, emotional costs of avoiding the dentist include feelings of self-consciousness, insecurity and low self-esteem. More troubling is still the fact that research shows that neglecting dental care can lead to an array of serious health problems, such as heart disease, stroke and diabetes. Fortunately, defeating your dental fears doesn't have to be difficult with help from your dentist.
Why do I Suffer from Dental Anxiety?
There is a variety of causes of dental anxiety and dental phobia. They often include factors that are both related and unrelated to dentistry. Some causes for anxiety include:
*Fear of pain
*Feelings of helplessness and loss of control
*Embarrassment or shame about the look and condition of the teeth
*Previous bad experiences
*History of abuse
*Observational or vicarious learning
*Post-traumatic stress
*Fear of needles, injections, drills, gagging, etc.
*Costly and/or extensive treatment
*Hopelessness that neglect or the condition has made it too late to do anything
*Adverse effects of medication or their ineffectiveness in providing relief from anxiety and pain
No matter the reason for your dental anxiety, it is important to talk to your dentist in Houston about what you are experiencing. Your dentist will be able to help calm your anxiety with the recent advancements of today's dentistry.
Overcoming Your Dental Anxiety
When it comes to confronting your anxiety, there are several psychological and behavioral approaches for addressing it. First, it is important to realize that others share your fears and are ready to help you overcome them through self-help and peer support groups. Additionally, identify your fears and educate yourself about realistic and unrealistic expectations, possible treatment options and what they involve, etc. Discuss your treatment with your dentist so you will know exactly what to expect and ask for information that you can read at home, in addition to conducting research online. Communicate your fears and anxieties to your dental team. Good dentist-patient communication is crucial for relieving dental anxiety and phobia. Control your situation as much as possible, such as choosing a time for your dental appointment when you are less likely to feel rushed or pressured. Also, discuss a signal that lets your dental team know you feel uncomfortable or need a break.
If you suffer from dental anxiety or phobia talk to your Boynton Beach dentist so that they can help to relieve your fears. With advancements in dentistry and technology, your dentist now has ways to eliminate your fears and make your treatment as comfortable as possible.
