Fear of the dentist – make it a topic of conversation
Dental fear is common. As many as 40% of Dutch adults say they are afraid to visit a dentist. And almost a million Dutch people are so afraid of the treatment that they no longer dare to go. We offer a special treatment for that.
Tips when feeling anxious
If you postpone your visit to the dentist, you will inevitably develop problems with your teeth, molars and gums. The causes of fear of the dentist can vary greatly, but can usually be traced back to childhood. An unpleasant experience with the (school) dentist or 'copied' fear from parents is a reason we hear regularly. Please take a look at the following tips.
Tips to prevent anxiety early on
- Take your child to the dentist as early as possible. Research shows that the sooner a child gets used to the dentist, the less likely it is that fear will develop later.
- For young children it is good if one of the parents is present during the check-up or treatment. Older children can try to do it themselves. This will give them more self-confidence.
- If you are present during your child's appointment , leave as much as possible to the dentist. Do not make false promises. If your child feels pain after you have said everything will be allright, your child may feel betrayed.
- There is nothing wrong with rewarding your child for behaving well. Give a small gift, let your child stay up an hour longer or something else they enjoy.
Tips for people with anxiety who do visit the dentist
- In recent years, dental technology has advanced greatly. The horror stories of the past are long gone. Nowadays everything can be done virtually painlessly..
- If you are afraid of undergoing treatment, talk to your dentist about it. They will understand and can take extra time for you if necessary.
- Get informed about the type of treatment you can expect, what will happen and why.
- Are you afraid of pain? Ask about anesthesia.
- Everyone wants to be in controle of the situation. Therefore, agree on a signal with the dentist, such as raising your hand, so the dentist can interrupt the treatment. This way, you keep some of the treatment in your own hands.
Tips for people with anxiety who are too afraid to visit the dentist
- Postponing a visit to the dentist for a long time, can mean that your teeth will deteriorate visibly. Bad teeth do not do your self-confidence and social life any good. There will come a time when you have to do something about it.
- Talk to others and certainly to your dentist. In our practice we can support you with that important first step: the beginning of the restoration of your teeth and the end of your unhappiness.
What you can do to be less anxious
- Tell your dentist that you are anxious and when it started. The dentist is familiar with such problems and can do a lot to help you feel less anxious.
- If you and your dentist don't have a click, talk to your dentist about it. They are always open to talk about alternatives.
- If you want to take a relaxant or sedative, discuss this with your dentist.
What to ask your dentist to reduce feelings of anxiety
- To take more time for you than usual.
- During the first appointment just to check everything or take a picture.
- To explain everything clearly in advance so that you know what is going to happen.
- To show all instruments and explain what they are used for.
- During the treatment, ask exactly what the dentist is going to do and how long it will take.
- To allow you watch with a mirror (or not!).
- To stop treatment as soon as you raise your hand.
- To allow you to use earphones so you can listen to some music.
- Ask for suggestions about other solutions that will reduce your feelings of anxiety.
- Ask about local anesthesia and sedation.
Anesthesia on request
If the dentist has to do something that could be painful, he will usually first suggest anesthesia. The anesthesia consists of a small injection, after which you will usually no longer feel any pain. Do you still feel pain after the anesthesia? Then say so immediately. The dentist can then anesthetize a little more. Once the anesthesia has taken effect, your cheek or lip will often feel swollen. This feeling disappears again after the anesthesia has worn off, usually one or a few hours after the treatment. The dentist can make the area where the anesthesia is given less sensitive with an ointment.
Calming medicine
The dentist can also prescribe a sedative, this is called premedication. Agents for this are Oxazepam or Midazolam. This way you will notice much less of the treatment and you will remember less of it afterwards.
Dental care under anesthesia
In the case of extreme fear of the dentist, there is a possibility to be under general anesthesia. You are then completely ''asleep'', so that you do not notice anything of the treatment. Within our network we have a specialized practice: KIES voor mondzorg onder narcoseWe can refer you to our colleagues if you wish.
