How to Face Your Fear and Conquer Dental Dread
Conquer Dental Dread
If you know me, you know that I am a straightforward person. I tend to be a mix of an extrovert and a bit of an introvert. I have no problem standing in front of hundreds of people and speak about something I am passionate about.
In the past, I have gotten on a horse and went riding in the mountains of Costa Rica; I have even swum with sharks!
While all of these things induce heightened emotions and dare I say, fear–I would much rather do any of these in a heartbeat than go to the dentist.
Heck, I’d even jump out of a plane.
I consider myself to be a pretty brave person in most circumstances but, going to the dentist is not one of them. My husband shakes his head every time I get a phone call from the dentist.
I hit ignore and he gives me blank stares when he hears me call the dentist and I re-schedule my appointments multiple times.
Though I eventually muster up the courage to go, one thing is for sure, I am not alone in my dental dread.
Overcome Your Fear
Did you know nearly 50% of all Canadians suffer from dental dread? For me, it’s recalling all the time I spent in the dentist’s chair in my youth.
I had the longest and strongest roots in my teeth that you could imagine.
My parents would use every single method they could think of to try to extract my baby teeth to no avail. When pliers, string, fruit, gum and everything else you can imagine didn’t work, they would accept their defeat and head to the dentist with me in tow.
I had every single baby tooth removed by a dentist. If you know about extractions, you know that means that I’ve seen a whole lot of needles in my day.
The sound of drilling, bright white lights and that sterile cold feeling always gives me goosebumps. Apart from the pain and discomfort, the worst part of it all was when they froze my gums.
I loathed the feeling of being frozen and having to wait for hours to feel normal again.
The last time that I had to face the needle was when I had my wisdom teeth removed.
I left the dentist swollen, in pain and FROZEN.
A national survey recently conducted for Septodont (the world’s leading manufacturer of oral freezing products) revealed that while almost 25% of Millennials (aged 18-34) are most likely to avoid the dentist.
This is due to the discomfort of dental freezing.
3 out of 4 Canadians have a keen interest in hearing options on reducing dental freezing time.
What Sparks Your Dread?
If you’re like me and it is negative memories you harbour or if the mere sound and smell of the dentist makes you want to run for the nearest door–you have options!
Septodont provides a product that significantly reduces unwanted lingering soft tissue anesthesia after routine dental procedures. You, my fellow Canucks, don’t have to fear the dentist anymore!
How to Conquer Dental Dread:
- Breathe. Relax and look back on experiences to see what may be the trigger.
- Acknowledging your fears may help you to overcome them.
- Know that dental procedures have improved over the years. Especially if you had a negative childhood memory!
- Find a highly-recommended dentist from people you know. It will help keep you at ease.
- Ask a friend or loved one to accompany you.
- Don’t be afraid to ask questions or a walkthrough of the procedure.
- Keep up with good dental hygiene and dental visits to prevent problems.
- You have options to help reduce freezing time, just ask your dentist!
Make sure to ask your doctor about how you can reduce dental freezing and how it can help you! After all, no one likes experiencing #DentalDread! Now, you know how you can conquer it!
How do you beat dental dread?
Let me know, til then–cheers m’deres!
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Nancy Polanco is a freelance journalist, lifestyle content creator, and editor of Whispered Inspirations. She is a proud Mom to Gabby and Michaela and partner and best friend to Darasak. Having worked as part of a health care team for almost a decade, Nancy is happy to be back to her passion. She is a contributor to the Huffington Post, TODAY’s Parents, and an Oprah Magazine Brand Ambassador.
Freezing at the Dentist make me sick for days after,if at all possible i rather not have the freezing and suffer the stort term pain !
Oh wow! There are other options out there, make sure to ask your dentist.
for me the biggest fear is driving to the city and making it to the dentist…our dentist has moved quite a few times in the years we've been with him…he's quite the drive to get to him now and the parking is very very limited as its in a strip mall that has three fast food places in it. Then theres that cost….I am lucky to have insurance with my workplace and only pay 20% but not everything is covered (like my sons braces that cost $4500 when he was 16, and that was 7 yrs ago) The sounds and how hard it is for me to recover is actually third place ..mostly my dentist is great, with very little pain during the process but afterwards I suffer for days
There seems to be a few things working against you! I feel like that after a few days too!
I am terrified of the dentist. I haven't been in so long because I just can't even muster up the courage to call and make an appointment.
I am not a fan either! Now you have some tips!
I am lucky I have no fear of the dentist but I have a friend who is terrified!! She has to take medication to help her relax so she can open her mouth!
Wow. There are options for her!
I use to hate going to the dentist. I finally got over my fear of that a couple years ago. I think for me it was the fact that I didn't go for years and when I did I hated it..but after going more often I got use to it and realized it's really not bad. I enjoy the feeling after getting my teeth cleaned too. I have no problem going to the dentist anymore thankfully.
That is great to hear!
Despite always visiting the dentist throughout my entire life, I still have dental dread. The best cure is knowing that the consequences for skipping routine checkups and cleanings is more invasive dental work.
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So very, very true!
Yes I know so many people who would rather let a cavity turn into needing a root canal. For sure Dentist fear is real with so many kids and adults.
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Very real!
Great tips. Dental appointments are never fun and always so scary. I'm so thankful that most dentist office have options for those of us who are a little scared. – Sarah
Me too! Plus options that make it less painful!
I am not really scared of the dentist but I have had a lot of work done and it is the most unpleasant thing that I have felt. Just having a tooth pulled or drilled gives me goosebumps.
It is definitely anxiety inducing.
My kids have dental dread in full effect. Thanks for sharing this information.
My pleasure, hope it helps!
Not my favourite thing to do but I am slowly overcoming my fear. I had a TERRIBLE experience getting my wisdom teeth out so every since them it has been a fear.
I do not blame you!
I don't remember ever dreading the dentist. I like having my teeth fresh and clean. My kids have never really had a fear either thankfully!
That is always great!
Thankfully, I have never been bothered by the dentist. But my mother hates the dentist, and she gets so worked up that she will have a panic attack before she goes. I will have to share this with her.
Hope it helps her!
I am terrified of the dentist … well… I was. I hadn’t been in 15 years (yes, you read that correctly) but actually went last week because I had a toothache that wouldn’t quit. I had two cavities that were fixed within two days, my teeth got cleaned, and I walked out without fear. Breathe … just breathe … Fantastic post!
Thanks! Definitely remember to breathe!
I'm not a huge fan of going to the dentist but I'm not afraid of it. I can think of far worse things to do but I'm sure these tips will help people who are afraid!
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For sure, for some it is very real. 🙂
These are very helpful tips! I'm lucky I don't fear going to the dentist even when I was a kid. Also found an awesome dentist my kids all love.
That is always a good thing!
My mom is terrified of the dentist. I also know a lot of people who are afraid to see a dentist.
It can be scary at any age!
Great info on how to overcome this fear! Some suffer from it and some don't. Its also important, that no matter our fears, to not let our children see it! It's not a good start when they fear the dentist right out of the gate!
So true! Thanks for that tip!
I had braces for four years as a teen. I hated going for my appointments to have them tightened. I am so nervous when i know i have to get a needle. I found a great dentist in my area that offers sleep dentistry. It has been a great help.
That is great! There are also options for help with the needle too! To deal with pain, ask your dentist!
These are great tips! I wouldn't have though the percentage was so high! I can actually say that I have never dreaded going to the dentist 😉
It is pretty high!
This post had me laughing in irony. I've been hurting for a few weeks now because of my tooth but I hate going to the dentist so MUCH! But I was brave and made an appointment (mostly because the pain is too much lol).
LOL, I am glad you are going. Ask for your options to help with the freezing afterwards.
Thanks for sharing these useful tips. I hate going to dentist 🙁
Hope they help!
Such great info. Honestly, although I dread going to the dentist, I always make sure not to miss any appointments because I know how important having healthy teeth is.
Yes! And a small problem can get worse if ignored.
Omg what great tips! I don’t mind the dentist at all. However I do know so many people who are super afraid of the dentist
I am definitely not a fan!
I often ask for the special stuff that numbs my gums so it doesn't hurt as much – i have sensitivity!
There are options to help with the freezing afterwards too. Ask your dentist!
That is kind of insane that you had to have every one of your baby tooth removed by the dentist. Those were some really strong roots you had there, hopefully your adult teeth have the same trait. Luckily, most of the time dentists don't have to use needles when you go in to see them. They just clean/inspect your teeth and let you go.
I have never thought of it that way. Good way to see it. Yes, it was pretty bad, some were very long.
Great tips honestly I prefer doing pretty much anything but going to the dentist , I have had a couple nightmare experiences , like very bad so I really have to calm myself to go.
Me too!