Why Are People Afraid of the Dentist?

Surprisingly, a large percentage of people fear going to the dentist. It has been found out that oftentimes, patients who need to have their teeth cleaned, fixed, or replaced opt not to visit their dentists due to this fear. Instead, they allow their teeth to rot, and let damages such as cavities and tooth decay simply worsen over time.

People who fear going to the dentist largely attribute it to bad past experiences in the dentist's office, such as a dental visit during childhood that reminds patient of feeling pain during the clinical procedure. Others attribute it to a negative feeling they've associated with dentists from a young age because of their parents who also fear dental visits. Some, meanwhile, feel intense embarrassment over their dental health, or have other issues that cause the mere idea of going to the dentist to instill a feeling of anxiety and stress.

Dentists understand this fear and have developed ways to help abate it, such as putting patients under oral conscious sedation. Typically administered through two different methods, inhalation and intravenous sedation, this allows them to be in a state of calm and relaxation while the dental procedure is being performed. Dentists also try to deal with their patients in a gentle, friendly manner in order to establish feelings of familiarity and trust into their professional relationship. It is highly encouraged that patients find a dentist they are comfortable with and can openly communicate with to reduce their fears associated with dental visits.