After spiders and heights, fear of going to the dentist is the third most common phobia. Today’s topic is how to overcome the fear of the dentist.
A certain level of anxiety is normal before visiting the dentist or any doctor in that sense.
However, if your anxiety affects your oral health and prevents you from going to the dentist, it is possible that you are actually dealing with dental fear, anxiety, or phobia.
The difference between fear and phobia
Fear is a normal and expected reaction to a threat from the environment.
It is important for survival because it warns us that circumstances may be physically or mentally dangerous.
A phobia differs from fear in its intensity. It is much greater than expected, and in its maladaptive nature and duration.
Phobias are beyond the control of our will.
There are various causes that lead to the development of fear and phobia. Some people are aware of where they come from, while others are not.
Most often, they stem from bad past experiences, whether it was a painful treatment, unpleasant smells, or sounds.
Some people cannot stand the feeling of not having control over what is being done in their mouths. On the other hand, some have a gag reflex, or a fear of choking.
We know how to overcome fear!
People who suffer from fear of the dentist most often wait until the very last moment to face the dentist.
At that point, they usually ask for any method that involves medication (sedatives, general anesthesia, or laughing gas).
However, those are realistically ineffective because they only treat the symptoms of the phobia, such as anxiety.
The most effective method is precisely the method of exposure. As its name suggests, the patient is directly exposed to the source of fear.
Few choose this, but those who do are immediately freed from their phobia and realize that there is an effective way to conquer the fear of the dentist.
However, in order to be exposed, it is very important to carefully research where you will find understanding for the problem you are facing.
DENTIST IVAN ANTOLKOVIĆ UNDERSTANDS YOUR FEAR!
Because we know that the fear of the dentist can be overcome, we want to help you and prove that there is a doctor who understands your fear!
We believe that with quality communication, agreement, and support, we can restore the sparkle to your smile without the presence of fear.
Dentist in Zagreb, Ivan Antolković, understands that fear leads to avoidance, avoidance leads to neglect, and neglect leads to health problems, low self-confidence, and generally poorer quality of life.
We want to prove to you that the dentist is in fact a doctor, as the correct title of the profession says: doctor of dental medicine.
Doctors are here to treat, to help, and not to judge!
Communication is key
At the Dental Center 4Smile, we strive to make everything as easy as possible for every patient, especially those who suffer from dental fear.
However, in order for us to help you overcome fear, first and foremost, MUTUAL COMMUNICATION is needed.
The foundation of every good relationship is communication.
In the early stage, even before you schedule an appointment with the dentist, it would be best to be honest and open about your fear and anxiety.
In this way, you allow us to adapt the treatment plan to your needs.
In most cases, we will start with the simplest treatments such as tartar cleaning, so that the patient and the doctor can get to know each other better.
We will agree on signs and signals if you want to pause or stop the treatment. The doctor will warn you about anything you might feel more strongly at a given moment.
In addition to the fact that the dentist in Zagreb, Ivan Antolković, will adapt as much as possible to you and your pace of adjustment to the treatment, it is important to know that modern technology and high-quality materials today really allow painless dental procedures.
This means that, once you receive anesthesia, you will not feel anything else.
ANESTHESIA MAKES DENTAL TREATMENTS PAINLESS!
If the sounds at the dentist bother you, you can use headphones connected to your mobile device and play some music that will help you relax while sitting in the chair.
Although here at Dental Center 4Smile we like to talk and laugh a lot, it would be a shame for you to miss out on taking part in the conversation with the well-known mumbling that only dentists understand :)
In any case, together we will surely find the best way to overcome fear. At Dental Center 4Smile, you can count on safe support, and a healthy and beautiful smile.
Don’t let your fear hold you back and prevent you from smiling from ear to ear!
Book a free check-up, say you’re afraid, and come so that together we can overcome it!
