Fear of the dentist is a condition that affects many of us, especially if we do not go regularly. Many people become so anxious that the health of their mouth and teeth is affected, they begin to get infected gums, chronic gum disease, tooth decay, as well as the formation of abscesses in the mouth.
To-day there are many methods and techniques to help overcome anxiety so that going to the dentist becomes more comfortable. A British Dental Association survey concluded that 25% of people were afraid of going to a dentist.
Fear of going to the dentist can be anywhere from a small fear to an overpowering fear. The most common is a fear of the unknown. The next is dental fear, which is a reaction to a known danger. Some worries may include reliving a bad experience that you had when you were young, feeling intense pain, or even getting sick to your stomach. The highest level of fear is called dental phobia which is far worse than dental fear and is usually caused by a painful or scary past dental experience.
So what may you be frightened of?
A fear of needles
A fear of dental instruments in your mouth
The worry you might vomit
Unsympathetic dentists
Bad childhood experiences
Fear of the drill
Fear of anaesthetic
Feeling vulnerable
There are three factors that tend to keep your fear of the dentist going.
Sensitisation (you find it difficult going to the dentist)
Avoidance (you stop going to the dentist)
Negative, distorted self talk (which terrifies you)
Anxiety that becomes associated with going to the dentist, for instance, hardens into a fear of the dentist. All it takes at times, is to just pick up the phone to call or be on your way to a dentist appointment to experience anxiety. Sensitization means that just thinking of the dentist can immediately make you anxious.
Once you experience sensitivity you might be inclined to avoid the circumstance. A person learns to feel good about avoiding the dentist because it saves them from intense anxiety. The best way to hang on to your phobias or fears is to avoid them altogether. This holds you back from getting a grip on them.
A third element that sustains a person’t fear of the dentist is distorted and unrealistic self talk. The greater the focus on something you fear, the greater the chances are that you will buy into the negative connotations associated with that fear. Realize you may experience fear or other negative ideas about going to the dentists. If you are trying to deal with dentists fears just keep in mind that self talk and negative images only help fuel your fears keeping you afaraid. They also undermine your confidence that you can ever get over your fear. Without negative self talk and negative images you would be much more likely to overcome your avoidance and go to the dentists comfortably.
This is an area in which Hypnotherapy Plymouth can be of use to you. You will find that Hypnotherapy relieves a wide variety of fears and phobias by implementing peaceful influences.
The first order of business is the location of an understanding dentist. In making regular visits, you will find that each one strengthens your confidence. Best of all, your teeth will be attractive and white and your breath will smell sweet.
A good dentist and great Plymouth hypnotherapist helped to cure me of the fear of the dentist that had bothered me for many years.
If you can find a dentist who has good listening skills, it can really help you start getting over your fears - try asking your friends or co-workers if they know of a dentist who is good with people who have anxiety. It’s imperative that you talk with the dentist about your fears and concerns and be able to feel comfortable with it. There are many approaches he/she can use to relieve your anxiety.
Relaxation and distraction techniques
Pain free injection
Sedation
Listening carefully to you, giving you time
Explaining the procedures
You may wonder if hypnosis is the way for you to conquer your fear.
That is among the several problems dealt by hypnotherapy.
NLP is one of the many techniques that Hypnotherapists implement to deal with phobias.
You will start the session by learning how to use positive,calm thinking and by imagining yourself going through the process a step at a time while remaining calmand collected enough to get through any procedure.
You will imagine going into the dental surgery for a check up, all the time feeling strong and safe, and when you think of dentists and drills you will feel calm and in control, and you will see yourself leaving the surgery feeling a surge of confidence and elation.
You’ll never have to address the issue again, and you’ll smile more confidently knowing that you can be proud of your teeth and your breath.
