I’m A Dental Phobic Get Me Out Of Here!
Do you suffer from dental phobia? In this article we take a closer look at this common problem and how it can be treated.
As the nights draw in we all enjoy tucking into a bit of reality TV like I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here. The programme puts a spotlight on common fears and phobias that people have, forcing celebrities to address those fears through creative games and challenges which allow them to win prizes for the camp.
This kind of light entertainment is not the way that we would recommend anybody address their fears. However, it does highlight the many different fears that we, as humans, can have and the intense way that they can affect us.
At Abbey Road Dental, we know that our industry forms a common basis for a phobia that many people share, which is a phobia of dentists and dental surgeries. Because we see this so much, and we know that we can help you to get over it, we wanted to take a closer look at dental phobia, what it is and most importantly, how we can get you over it so you can get the treatment you deserve:
What Is Dental Phobia?
Dental phobia is also called dentophobia or odontophobia and is suffered by around 36% of the population to some degree.
When any fear is defined as a phobia it usually means that there is an extreme or irrational fear of objects, people, situations or experiences. So, rather than perhaps feeling worried about going to the dentist, dentophobia is more extreme than that and commonly causes a person to avoid the dentist altogether. Phobias fall under the anxiety disorder umbrella, and they cause extreme responses and avoidance. The good news is, though, that phobias are based on something that is unlikely to hurt you, in reality, which means that it can be overcome.
Common symptoms of dentophobia are:
- Shaking or worry when the topic of dentistry is even mentioned
- Inability to see images, programmes or films with scenes about dentistry
- Nightmares about the topic
- Panic attacks when thinking about going to the dentist
- Physical symptoms like a fast heartbeat, sweating and nausea when going near a dental surgery or dentist
Everybody is different in how their phobia feels but usually for it to be labelled a phobia we expect a patient will have some extreme feelings and symptoms in regards to dentistry.
What Causes Dentophobia?
Dentophobia tends to come from a negative past experience relating to dentists or dental surgeries/ treatment. The negative experience could be something like seeing your parent go through a painful dental experience, to seeing a film featuring a dramatic and inaccurate dental scene (like a horror movie). For some patients, they can develop a phobia of going to the dentist because they are ashamed of their teeth or gums and think they will be judged, receive a huge treatment bill or they will be told nothing can be one. There can also be fears about tools, treatments or even dentists themselves and worrying that they cannot be trusted.
Dental Phobia & Oral Damage
One of the worst aspects of dental phobia as well as the way that it makes patients feel, is that it tends to obstruct a person getting the oral care they need. Easily treated conditions can get worse and worse resulting in much more pain and extensive damage than if preventative work, or early treatment had been done. It isn’t completely out of the realm of possibility that a patient will have an extremely painful infection or extensive oral damage before they get treatment. This can be so dangerous because dental infections can poison the body if they are not treated. Infections can get into the blood and cause sepsis, which can be fatal.
We also meet patients who have avoided oral care for so long they can have teeth damage and incredibly low self esteem as a result. Phobics might struggle with the way their teeth look and feel for a long time before seeking help, which can cause issues that run into all areas of life.
Treatment For Dental Phobia
Dental phobia can be treated in a number of ways. You do not have to exist with a phobia any longer if you can be brave enough to take that first step. Let’s take a look at some treatments:
Sedation
Mild fears of the dentist can be helped with sedation, which lots of people opt for to help them get through necessary dental work. It doesn’t cure the phobia, but if there isn’t time to get over that phobia, sedation can help a person get through essential treatment.
Exposure Therapy
One of the treatments we can help with here at Abbey Road Dental is exposure therapy, which is where you are gradually exposed to the dentist and clinical environment. The idea is that fears and worries are replaced by positive experiences and you see for yourself that your worries are unfounded. We can support you through this process, which for many people starts with making a call to us. Our staff are experienced in this process and we know how to be very gentle, encouraging and patient so that you can slowly move towards a life without dental phobia.
Talking Therapies
For some people, talking therapies are the best way to get over a phobia. This could be cognitive behaviour therapy, person centred therapy or other forms of psychotherapy. It can be a slow process but it is a great option for people who may need to talk out their phobia and work through it’s cause, particularly if the foundation of the problem is very traumatic.
Hypnotherapy
Hypnotherapy, for the right people, can be a positive approach to overcoming a phobia. It involved speaking to the subconscious part of your brain that holds the root of the cause of your phobia. It isn’t for everyone, but it works for some people and can create positive results in as little as one appointment. Everybody is different in how they approach their phobia. What our team wants to encourage is getting help of any kind, because you deserve the kind of care that keeps your teeth and gums feeling and looking great.
Abbey Road Dental Are Here To Help You Get Over Your Phobia
If you would like help with your dental phobia Abbey Road Dental would love to help. We can be part of any plan that you have to slowly overcome your fears and phobias of dental work, dentists or the surgery environment. The first step is calling us on 02076241603 and speaking to our friendly reception team. Alternatively, you can send us an inquiry through our ‘Ask A Quick Question Form’ if that feels more comfortable for you. We are are here to help you get the care you deserve!