Dentophobia is the fear of dentists. While most people have an aversion to going to the dentist, there is a difference between apprehension and a phobia. A dentophobia person will avoid going to the dentist regardless of the consequences or may exhibit panic-stricken behavior while in the dentist’s chair.
Fear of the dentist ultimately comes from a person’s fear of pain, needles, numbness, gagging, or the sounds and smells they experience while visiting a local dentist. Regardless of what causes the fear, there are some steps you can take to overcome your fear of Dentophobia. Contact Lovett Dental Pasadena for more information about overcoming this debilitating condition.
Overcome Dentophobia With Sedation Dentistry
Sedation dentistry is a broad term for various techniques that dentists use to calm a patient or make them more comfortable before performing a dental procedure. There are different types of sedation dentistry, such as:
- Nitrous oxide
- Oral sedation
- Conscious sedation
- IV sedation
Which type of sedation is right for you? That depends on multiple factors such as your level of fear, the type of treatment you need, and your overall health. The right sedation will lower your anxiety and help you become more comfortable with the procedure. Professional sedation dentistry is safe and painless.
Take It One Step at a Time to Conquer Dentophobia
Unless you have an emergency or severe oral condition, you do not have to jump into a major dental procedure on your first visit. You may want to take it slow by meeting with your dentist for a consultation. You can ask questions, discuss your concerns, and formulate a plan that helps you slowly ease into a procedure.
Ask what the dentist does, the tools they use, and how much pain you can expect. Schedule a simple oral exam or teeth cleaning before you undergo any specialized services or cosmetic dentistry in Pasadena. A simple oral exam or teeth cleaning requires few tools and causes zero pain.
Start Your Children at a Young Age to Prevent Dentophobia
If any age group should be afraid of the dentist, it should be children. Walking into a dentist’s office, looking at all the tools, and sitting back in a chair under a bright light can frighten any child. A procedure can be incredibly intimidating if the child feels pain.
One of the best ways to overcome dentophobia in children is to take them to the dentist as soon as possible after they are born. Dentists recommend that you schedule the first oral exam between six months and one year old, followed by routine exams and teeth cleanings. Regular exposure to professional pediatric dentistry can eliminate any fear of going to the dentist. By the time a child is ten years old, going to the dentist is old news.
Seek Counseling for Dentophobia
It may seem odd to visit a counselor or therapist for your fear of dentists. However, there may be a valid reason why you don’t want anyone touching your teeth. You may have had a bad experience with a dentist as a child, or other factors make you afraid of pain.
Speaking with a counselor can help you explore your phobia and find a solution for overcoming it. If you suffer from a damaged tooth, cavity, or heavily stained teeth, you do not want your phobia to hinder you from addressing the problem. A counselor may be able to help you work through your fear.
See What Lovett Dental Pasadena Can Do for You
If you need to schedule an oral exam or teeth cleaning, then contact Lovett Dental Pasadena today. Our licensed specialists offer comprehensive dental services providing a range of treatments, including:
Call Lovett Dental Pasadena at 281-998-8800 to schedule your next appointment today or complete our convenient online form for more information.
