Dental phobia

Is it just plain fear or a dental phobia?

You may not want to hear this, but we can categorize patients:

1st Group: People who are not afraid of going to the dentist (about 20%)

2nd Group: People who are afraid of the dentist, but who still schedule relatively regular appointments (about 72%)

3rd Group: People who have not been to the dentist for long time. These people prefer living in pain instead of seeking dental treatment. This is what we call dental phobia (about 8%)

As you can see, you are not alone! 80% of patients are afraid of the dentist, sometimes more, sometimes less.

Do you feel uncomfortable when at the dentist's office or do you feel completely helpless while lying in the dental chair? Are you afraid that the dentist will pass judgment on your oral hygiene or are you afraid of the drill and the pain? Regardless of what you are frightened of, as a matter of principal

Small issues can quickly turn into big problems when not given the right treatment!

Tooth decay in the early stages spreads out and gradually destroys other healthy teeth or the misalignment of individual teeth can damage your entire set of teeth. Through regular dental check-ups (prophylaxis), many problems can be detected and treated at an early stage.

Your tooth ache before treatment usually lasts longer than the treatment itself.

What can clinics do against dental phobia?

The waiting room areas are getting smaller and the appointments are becoming more accurate. Soft music plays in the treatment rooms and the odors typical of a dental clinic are barely noticeable anymore. Long waiting times are a thing of the past. Many dentists are familiar with their patients' fears and respond to their patients with a "feel-good atmosphere" in which patients are treated with respect and understanding. This simplifies a patient's consultation and treatment at the dentist's. In addition to the newest technology, a variety of anesthetic options are available, from the local anesthetic to the general anesthetic, making treatment virtually painless. Therefore, there is no need to be afraid, because a dedicated team will support you from start to finish.

What can you do against dental phobia?

The first step is to make an appointment with the dentist of your choice. Forget all your childhood experiences since modern methods and new technology improved dental treatments significantly in recent years. Please keep in mind that it is your dentist's intention to help you and your teeth, not to laugh at you or to criticize you.

The most important thing in dealing with your fear is to talk to your dentist about it and to gather information about different kinds of treatments. Always ask questions about treatment methods, since fear often stems from uncertainty.

Regardless of how long ago your last dental checkup was, it is never too late to make a new appointment for a dental consultation.