Are you someone who is always worrying about the dentist? You are not alone. Far from it, as a matter of fact. Anytime you stand in a room with a handful of people, you're likely sharing space with someone (or multiple someones!) who shares your dental office phobia. Anywhere from nine to 20 percent of Americans are so anxious about going to the dentist that they DON'T go to the dentist.
Of course, getting together to talk about how you are all worrying about the dentist is nobody's idea of a good time. And worrying about the dentist, as crippling a fear as it can be, doesn't do you any good in the short- or long-term. Regular dental care is an essential part of maintaining good overall health.
Here are some common reasons for dental office phobia as well as some tips on how to overcome these fears and begin going to the dentist:
Fear of pain: Let's face it, most dental procedures—with all that drilling, filling and scraping—SOUND painful. And it can be discomforting to look at the array of sharp-edged tools at a dentist's chair. But advances in dental anesthesia allow patients to experience little to no pain while undergoing these intensive procedures. Most dentists will put a patient at ease by agreeing to stop a treatment immediately he or she raises a hand. If your dentist won't agree to this, find another dentist.