There are many reasons you should have a dental checkup, but it is not uncommon to have a fear of the dentist. The gums, teeth, and tongue all play a significant role in helping you have a nutritious diet. When these do not work well, you may not be able to eat the right foods. And if you are afraid of the dentist, it might be hard to gather the courage to make an appointment. The good news is you can conquer your fear.
One of the most fundamental ways of conquering dental checkup fear is finding the right dentist. The patient should be comfortable with the dentist. Plus, some dentists charge a lot of money for some procedures. If the dentist does not accept the patient’s health insurance, it could cost more money than the patient is willing to spend.
If the patient has a phobia or anxiety, it is vital to choose a dentist that understands the patient. The dentist should be willing to help keep the patient comfortable during any procedure. However, sometimes, the patient might need to make a consultation appointment first. Then they can talk about the cause of the anxiety or fear of the dentist.
Many things can cause fear, including the lighting, tools, and the thought of having a needle in the mouth. However, having a dental checkup is critical, and one possibility to get over fear is medication. The dentist can give it to the patient to help reduce anxiety. These could include local anesthetics or a light sedative to calm the patient.
A great way of dealing with fears is by facing them. That is what exposure therapy aims to do. The patient will make visits to the dentist to reduce anxiety. Regular dental checkups are the right way to do that. Slowly building up is the right way to do that.
For instance, the patient can have a checkup one time and an X-ray the next time. During this time, the patient will get enough courage to have procedures done when needed. Starting small is critical, but over time, the patient will feel better about dental visits. The patient gets used to the tools and the dentist that way.
Many times, the fear of a dental checkup puts oral health at risk. However, there are some other ways patients can reduce fears. For instance, a patient might go to the dentist with a friend. Or the patient can ask the dentist to give them a quick break from the procedure. Having headphones and music can take the patient’s mind off the process.
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Dental Checkup in Columbia, SC
It is common to fear going to the dentist, and it can affect patients of any age. However, younger people are often more prone to the issue. Still, it happens more in some people than others. The good news is you can manage it with the help of your dentist.
Request an appointment or call Davis & Dingle Family Dentistry at 803-567-1804 for an appointment in our Columbia office.
Getting a dental checkup is one of the essential steps in your oral care routine. But you might wonder what you can expect during a checkup and cleaning. That way, you can make a more informed decision for your health. Keep reading to learn more about what the procedure involves.The dental hygienist and dentist will…
The next time you go in for a dental checkup, talk to your dentist specifically about brushing. As a child, your parents probably taught you to brush your teeth after every meal. However, they might not have shared much information as to why. After talking to your dentist, you will gain some invaluable insight. By…
A dental clinic can be just a block away, but it would still take a lot of convincing before any patients go for a dental checkup. Busy schedules often make people overlook or even dismiss the discomfort in gums and teeth. It is not easy to withstand dental pain and swelling. Pain relievers can only…
Dental anxiety affects millions of people in the U.S. This anxiety can often prevent patients from getting treatments that can keep oral diseases like tooth decay and gum disease away or prevents them from getting worse. Dental phobias can be the result of previous bad experiences with dentists, or they can be caused by a…
Dental veneers are common restorations that are used to change the size, shape, or color of teeth. These can be made of porcelain or resin and are most commonly used on the front teeth. When these restorations are placed, there is a margin between the tooth and the porcelain or resin material. This can leave…