Don’t Let Dental Anxiety Stop You From Having Healthy Teeth And Gums

A fear of the dentist is common and prevents too many people from having good oral health. Here’s how we can help.

Fears and phobias are relatively commonplace and are probably inherited from our ancient ancestors. It wouldn’t have taken long for prehistoric man to realise that pain was something he should perhaps run away from! This legacy still continues with us today and is probably better known as a ‘fight or flight’ response when things become challenging.

As with our caveman, there are occasions when it is best to run away. When it comes to fear of the dentist though, this is a short term response which will almost certainly come back to bite you.

If you find that you get very anxious about a dental visit; first of all, don’t worry, you are not alone. Most people that see their dentist would probably rather be somewhere else, we are sure! Many folk simply take a deep breath and keep their appointments though, in the knowledge that this is a positive thing to do to help them maintain healthy teeth. For those who find this more difficult, and perhaps postpone or cancel their appointments, you are probably setting yourself up for even bigger challenges as your dental issues inevitably worsen.

Tooth decay

If you are nervous about having a tooth filled at the 103 Dental and Implant Practice and find that the discomfort is relatively minor and manageable, perhaps with the use of common painkillers, you might decide that you can put up with it. This might work for a while, but almost inevitably the decay will worsen and what would have required a small filling may well now need either a larger filling or something even more invasive such as the fitting of a crown, or possibly even an extraction. Don’t let your fear worsen the condition of your teeth.

Cracked or broken tooth

This also applies if you have chipped or cracked a tooth. It may not seem much to you but if it has exposed the inner part of the tooth at all, bacteria will enter and decay and root canal infections may also occur. As always, the longer you leave a problem, the more extensive and phobia-inducing any treatment is likely to be.

Sensitive teeth

If your teeth are sensitive, please don’t think of it as just ‘one of those things’. Sensitive teeth might indicate that you have enamel erosion. Not only does this increase the risk of tooth decay but your sensitivity will only become worse over time.

The crux of the matter is that dental problems very rarely rectify themselves. You should never ignore a problem and should have it treated as soon as possible. This will be beneficial for your teeth and will be a more comfortable treatment for you than if you wait for more extensive treatment to be needed.

Relaxation tips

Nobody expects you to be overjoyed by your dental visit. It is OK to feel worried and even some dentists would rather not be sitting in the treatment chair either. Many people have mild to moderate levels of anxiety about their treatment and still manage to undergo any necessary treatment. For those whose levels are higher, the following are some suggestions that might help you.

1. Talk to your dentist – We encourage any of our patients that are experiencing anxiety about their forthcoming appointment to talk to us. We pride ourselves on being as gentle as possible and our Edinburgh New Town dentists have years of treating nervous patients. Sometimes just talking about it can be a big help. Don’t bottle it up until you manage to terrify yourself, talk to us first.
   
2. Bring a supportive friend – We are always happy for you to bring someone with you to accompany you in the waiting room. Having someone to talk to can distract you from your concerns. Naturally, it is more difficult to allow them in the treatment room but we may consider this if appropriate, but please talk to us in advance if you are considering this.
   
3. Breathing and relaxation – A few deep breaths can really help to calm you down. Doing this in a more formal and regular way such as through meditation or relaxation exercises may gradually help you overcome your nerves to the point where you are relatively relaxed about your appointment. This may take some time though and you might need short term solutions in the meantime.
   
4. Talk to your GP – If you feel that your dental anxiety is likely to make you miss an appointment for treatment, talk to your GP about it. They may offer you a mild sedative if the level of anxiety warrants it, and especially if they feel that your oral health is likely to deteriorate because of it.

The bottom line is that early intervention in a dental problem is both likely to preserve more of your natural tooth and to make the treatment less invasive that it is likely to be if ignored for some time. Seeing our Edinburgh dentists regularly as well as looking after your teeth and gums well at home with good quality brushing and flossing is the best way to go.

If you are afraid of visiting the dentist, why not give us a call and talk to us to see how we can help? To contact the 103 Dental and Implant Practice, please complete the form on our website or call us today on 0131 6083219.