August 9th, 2011
For most people, the trip to the dental surgery every six months or so is a matter of routine and causes them no real problems. It is simply a necessary act in order to maintain excellent standards of dental hygiene and ensure that no nasty dental ailments can possibly take hold in the mouth. Unfortunately, things are not so simple for those who suffer from dental anxiety. For these people, a visit to the dentist is something to be feared and this avoided at all costs.
Dental anxiety is not a simple, one dimensional issue that has the same causes for everyone who is suffering from it. The reasons that a patient might have feelings of anxiety about going to the dental surgery can be multi dimensional and complex.
A fear of needles doesn’t help in some cases and the same can be said of the dental drill. Childhood memories can play a part too and those who had to go to dentist repeatedly during childhood, perhaps to have cavities filled in, might be reticent to carry on going to the surgery in adulthood. Negative stereotypes in the media and popular culture don’t help but it is vital that dental anxiety is overcome so that your mouth can stay as healthy as it possible can be.
Dental surgeries have changed a lot over the years and people who have not been to see the dentist in a number of years are frequently surprised at how different they find the place. They are relaxed placed now where dentists are concerned with creating an inviting and comforting ambience so that their patients feel at ease. An informal chat with your London W1 dentist might well be a great first step in putting your mind at rest.
January 1st, 2011
Dental anxiety is a very common problem for many people and is something that affects a diverse range of people both children and adults. Do not suffer in silence frequent visits to the dentists are vital to address your issues of dental anxiety, discuss your problem with a City of London dentist. To most sufferers it will not stop them seeing a dentist but they do retain a great deal of fear about when they visit, in some cases however the anxiety and fear is so extreme that the patient would rather suffer toothaches or cavities than have treatment . Obviously not going to the dentist causes extreme problems, with some infections being so severe they can even cause death, especially when dealing with problems such as mouth cancer, regular checkups are the only way to avoid severe problems and stay safe. Not only can teeth cause problems for your health they play a huge part of our physical appearance and aesthetical appeal, poor teeth can lead to problems with confidence and self esteem and can even cause depression. There are a number of ways in which dental anxiety can be addressed and possibly even solved obviously feelings will still be there but the situation can be improved by a few options. Firstly finding a supportive dentist that you feel helps you and supports you are key, addressing specific concerns you have and what makes you particularly uncomfortable will help rid you of some anxieties you have. In addition to this there is sedated treatment option, where you will still be awake but very relaxed this can be done in a number of ways such as valium and laughing gas. Also there are various psychological treatments such as distraction techniques, hypnotherapy and behavioural psychotherapy whereby you are taught and given ways to overcome your fear through the power of the mind.
December 9th, 2010
Regular visits to your dentist are the most basic measure to ensure that your teeth and gums remain in excellent health. Giving your dentist the opportunity to thoroughly examine your mouth twice a year means that painful conditions are far less likely to develop and you probably won’t have to undergo invasive surgery. Yet many people feel anxious about going to see their dentist for a variety of reasons.
If you are afraid of needles then going to the dentist is just another thing that you probably won’t want to do. Childhood memories of painful procedures can make you feel reticent about making the appointment too. These feeling can be hard to overcome, especially if you have had them for a number of years.
Personality clashes with staff can make it more difficult to visit the dentist too. It can be very awkward if you have had a past disagreement with your dentist or a member of staff who works there. You many feel that your dentist was unsympathetic to your needs and not want to visit again, in case the same problem should present itself.
It is very important to realise that dental practice has changed a lot in recent times. One of the primary concerns of modern dentists is to make sure that patients feel relaxed in the surgery and often use DVDs and soothing music to achieve this. Pain free gels can render injections far less uncomfortable and modern technology means that generally the time which you will need to spend at the dentists for a procedure is drastically reduced.
Finally, it is crucial to bear in mind that if you feel that your dentist is not treating you the way feel you should be treated and that this is bringing on dental anxiety, you ought to find another dentist. Communication with your dentist is vital so talk to your City of London dentist today if you have any issues with dental anxiety.
January 2nd, 2010
If you have a fear of the dentist or suffer from anxiety before a check up, it is important to know that you are not alone. Dental anxiety is one of the most common in the UK with over 90 per cent of us admitting some form of fear of the dentist. Of course, this fear is much greater for some than for others but in all cases there are techniques and options available to help you keep calm.
First of all, it is important to talk through your anxieties with your dentist. You can rest assured that you wont be the first nervous patient they have seen and they will be trained to help you relax and talk you through exactly what might happen during your appointment. Removing the element of the unexpected and knowing what to expect can be very useful to help you assuage your anxieties.
Dental fear and anxiety can come from a variety of sources but the same few crop up time and again. Past traumatic experiences are very common causes of anxiety, as is a feeling of lack of control, so it is often worth talking these through before your appointment.
Dentists in Central London also offer relaxation techniques such as breathing exercises and self-hypnosis to help patients conquer their fears. It has also recently been found that aromatherapy, particularly lavender oil, is very good at relaxing people before appointments. Whatever the reason or level of anxiety, there is a way to overcome it and receive the dental treatment that you require.
October 23rd, 2009
Fear of the dentist is one of our most common fears. According to a recent study, it is a fear shared by more than 90 per cent of us. For most of that 90 per cent it is a fear that can be overcome by the knowledge that visiting a dentist is crucial for the maintenance of good oral health, and that by missing appointments it will only lead to future dental problems and further dental appointments. This kind of fear is known as dental anxiety and is usually fairly easily overcome. For some patients however, their fear is much greater to the extent that they are willing to sacrifice their dental health for the sake of fear. This more irrational fear of the dentist is commonly known as dental phobia. Patients who suffer from dental phobia frequently suffer from dental problems such as tooth decay, which will eventually require them to visit the dentist.
People’s fear of the dentist is usually sparked by one of several factors. An unpleasant childhood experience of the dentist can lead to a lifetime of fear. Others are embarrassed by the state of their teeth. Some patients simply describe a feeling of lack of control or vulnerability when in the dentist’s chair. Whatever the cause for the phobia, running away from your fears is never the answer and in most cases only succeeds in further compounding the problem.
Dental phobias are very real to the sufferers but they are not insurmountable. Very often just talking through your fears with the dentist will be enough reassurance. After all, you are unlikely to be their first nervous patient. They will also have been specially trained to deal with nervous patients. Other techniques to help you relax include breathing exercises or self-hypnosis. Patients who can maintain a level of trance like calm can often visit the dentist with little or no anxiety. The use of lavender oil can also help to calm the patient’s nerves before an appointment.
It is also worthwhile remembering that dentistry has made large strides in the last twenty years. Today’s dental practices resemble health spas more than hospitals. Most procedures can now be carried out with the minimum of discomfort and pain caused to the patient and can now be carried out in a fraction of the time it used to take, reducing the time you will need to spend in the chair.
If you suffer from dental anxiety or dental phobia, talk to your London W1 dentist before your appointment. They will be able to reassure you and offer advice on how to stay calm and relaxed throughout the appointment.
