Overcoming Your Fear of the Dentist

”Overcoming your fear of the dentist” is a collaborative post. Please see the disclosure page for more information. Disclaimer – always verify medical information with your doctor or a professional.

A lot of people have fears of visiting the dentist more than any other kind of doctor. Sometimes this fear can even keep people from visiting the dentist as often as they should be visiting. The importance of staying on top of health issues increases with age. Avoiding the dentist can cause significant problems, so make it your goal this year to overcoming your fear of the denist.

My husband is one of those people. You wouldn’t expect it from a Marine that has traveled the world, climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro, and was brave enough to marry me! He had a broken tooth for over a year and finally after 2 weeks of not being able to sleep (because he was keeping me awake because of pain … oh and he was in pain), I tricked him into seeing a dentist. He had no idea that there was an after work hours dentist and I had scheduled an appointment. I lured him there under the guise of us going to eat at a restaurant nearby and when I passed it, the gig was up. And he was pissed. I can’t blame him because they had to get the “special drill” to get the tooth remnants out. Yeah, that is actually what the dental assistant seriously called it. Ok, so going to the dentist isn’t always fairy tales and rainbows, but you gotta keep those chompers in good shape otherwise it’s to the pudding aisle for you!

Photo byHao Shaw on Unsplash

The Importance of Oral Health

Your oral health is more important than most people probably realize. The health of your mouth is connected to the health of the rest of your body. If you don’t keep your teeth in good condition, then you are going to see problems in other areas of your health as well.

If your gums have periodontal disease and contain bacteria, that bacteria can get into your bloodstream. The bacteria will gradually build up plaque in your arteries and harden, which will put you at risk for a heart attack and other cardiovascular issues. There is even research that suggests dementia or Alzheimer’s disease may be linked to bacteria from inflamed gums traveling to the brain and causing cell damage.

Swollen gums can also release bacteria that can be breathed into your lungs, which can cause respiratory problems like infections, pneumonia, or bronchitis. People with diabetes especially are at risk because they have a higher rate of infections than the general population. If an infection does happen in the gums, it can make diabetes harder to manage as it increases blood sugar levels.
Another group of people at risk are pregnant women. Hormone changes during pregnancy can cause infections to happen quickly, which in turn can lead to premature birth or other pregnancy complications. There is evidence to suggest that it might be a contributing factor in some infertility cases.

Some types of cancers, like kidney, pancreatic, and blood cancers, have been linked to people with poor oral hygiene. People with gum disease are more prone to infections, especially to the kidneys. Kidney disease affects heart and bone health and can lead to severe issues.

Now that you know how important oral health can be, it is time to overcome those fears! The first step is being open about your worries with your dentist. If your dentist knows how nervous you are, then he or she can be more accommodating. They can explain procedures every step of the way and work to put you at ease. You can even have a hand signal that means you need a break or to ease off the procedure that you and your dentist can agree on beforehand. Having this signal will put you more in control of your visit and help to calm you down.

Practicing slow and calm breathing patterns can also help with anxiety. Focus on controlled breathing with a longer exhale than inhale. Longer inhales bring more oxygen into your body, which will wake up your body, but longer exhales release tension and bring more calmness to the body. Practice this breathing before you go to the dentist, so when you are there, it is a familiar thing to do.

Another way you can keep calm is to bring music and headphones to listen to while the procedure is being done. This muffles the sound of the drill and can give you something else to focus on during the process. Eating foods high in sugar or caffeine will get your heart beating faster, which will contribute to anxiety. Avoid these foods and instead eat something high in protein, which has a more calming effect on the body.

You can also contribute to your overall sense of calm by scheduling your appointment at a low-stress time. Make sure you are not going to be rushed or worried about something after your appointment. You can also avoid running behind schedule if you book the first appointment of the day or the one directly following lunch.

Finding the right dentist for you is another important way to feel at ease. Read a lot of reviews online and try to get a feel for what the bedside manner will be before you go. Some people will naturally make you feel more comfortable than others. You should also get a feel for their office. You want someone who makes you feel comfortable. James Mace is an excellent place to start if you need a suggestion. The important thing is to find a dentist who will help ease your fears instead of adding to them.