Are You Afraid Of Seeing A Dentist?

Dental phobia is a significant problem that can have a profound impact on your teeth and gums.

Any phobia is unpleasant. They can often produce unwanted symptoms such as profuse sweating, a racing heartbeat, or even full blown floods of tears. Whilst there are some relatively rare phobias, there are also some well known common ones, with a fear of the dentist ranking almost alongside a fear of flying. The good thing about phobias though, is that they are largely irrational and can often be overcome with help and persistence.

Like many phobias, the longer you put off facing them, the worse the fear becomes when you reach a time when you can avoid it no longer. In the case of dental fear, if you have not seen a dentist for a long time because of it, you are likely to be extremely scared when you finally have to go because you are in so much pain with a very bad toothache. At this point, there is no real option but to face the fear and have the tooth seen too. There is a more gentle approach to dental fear though, and we are happy to help you try to overcome it.

Regular dental care

Let’s be honest; however nice a dentist is, virtually no one actually enjoys a dental visit. There is always that lurking concern that, however healthy your teeth seem, your dentist may find a problem that needs dealing with. The best way to reduce this risk is to look after your teeth well and see your dentist on a regular basis. That way any serious issues are more likely to be avoided, and any treatment that is needed, to be less invasive.

The best time to overcome your phobia is now. The longer you put it off, the harder it will become. If you have looked after your teeth well, it is possible that you may not even need treatment at this point. The longer you leave it, the more likely it is that you will. Once you have started seeing a dentist regularly, the less stressful future visits will become.

Why Mike Allen’s Practice?

At Mike Allen’s Burton dental practice, we do all that we can to put nervous patients at ease. We have been established in the town for over thirty years and some of our adult patients have been coming here since they were young children. We are very used to seeing nervous patients and our staff are both trained and experienced at making your visit as pleasant as possible.

You will always find a warm welcome when you step through the door into our reception area. From this point on, you will be treated kindly and as gently as possible where any dental surgery needs to take place. For those whose anxiety is so bad that they feel they can not face it, we are happy to arrange a non treatment visit where you can ask us questions and gradually build up a mutual trust.

Looking after your teeth alone

Some nervous patients hold the theory that if they are careful about what they eat, and clean their teeth well, they can get away without seeing a dentist. This is a dangerous approach and one that can have many negative outcomes, and very few positive ones. Whilst it is good to watch your diet and clean your teeth well, other factors, often beyond your control, are at play. One of these is genetics. The reality is that some of us will have poorer ‘dental genes’ that we have inherited from our ancestors. This increases the likelihood of decay, however well we look after our teeth.

Ironically, some anxious patients actually do their teeth harm in the manner that they look after them. Some are so concerned that they need to keep them clean that they brush them really hard, and often for much longer than necessary. This can cause the enamel of the teeth to wear away, leaving them exposed to problems like sensitivity and a higher risk of tooth decay.

We would say, to any nervous dental patient living in the Burton on Trent area, that your oral health is important, probably more so than you think. Increasingly, oral health issues such as periodontitis are now being linked with a range of medical conditions that could seriously affect your life. Diabetes, heart disease and strokes have all been linked with gum diseases and this is a problem that is relatively easy to avoid if you see a dentist regularly.

If you would like to find out more about how we are able to help nervous dental patients, we are always happy to see you. You will discover that we are not the ‘demons’ that your imagination may wish us to be! Our staff will do all that we can to make your visit as comfortable as possible and we are always happy to discuss anything that makes you particularly anxious. It is often the fear of the unknown that causes anxiety, and understanding a particular procedure can often help to make things seem more logical, helping to reduce your anxiety.

We have just entered a new year, and what better time to take the first steps to overcome your dental anxiety? Why not give Mike Allen’s Dental Practice a call today on 01283 845345 and take your first steps towards a healthy mouth, with our professional help.