What if I am nervous about visting the dentist?

Many people feel nervous about going to see the dentist and it is nothing to be ashamed of, but it must be dealt with. This is especially true if you have lost a tooth, sustained damage or are developing cavities. Dentists are able to diagnose and rectify these problems and restore your mouth to its optimum health and functionality so it is important that you give them the chance to examine your mouth regularly.

Feeling anxious about going to the dentist can stem from childhood experiences which have left you with unpleasant memories. Recollections of a painful procedure when you were young can leave you with mental scars that are difficult to overcome. These feelings are often only heightened by the negative stereotypes surrounding dentists and dental practices which persist in the media.

You should be aware though that dental practice has changed a lot and procedures are usually far shorter than they used to be and a lot less uncomfortable. Pain-free gels can help relieve discomfort during an injection, for example. Modern technology means that overall, patients are spending far less time in the surgery overall. Revolutionary processes like those which use CEREC techniques are able to be carried out in a fraction of the time they used to take. Dental crowns, for example, can be ready in no time at all if your dentist takes a digital x-ray of the area and sends the data to an online milling machine which constructs the crown in just six minutes flat.

Sometimes people are put off going to the dentist because of simple personality clash with the staff at the surgery. You might feel that, in the past your dentist has not been sympathetic or did little to put you at ease. If this is the case then you ought to find another dentist; there are always plenty around and it is important that you find the one who you can get along with personally. Modern dentists in general are extremely concerned about making their patients feel relaxed by using DVDs and music, for example. By turning your back on a dentist who does not do this, you are helping put an end to unhelpful, out-dated attitudes.

Try to book and informal appointment with your dentist to discuss worries you have about visiting the surgery. He or she will more than likely put you at ease and you can take an important step towards safeguarding your oral health. The fact is is that a problem in your mouth is unlikely just to go away, it will need dealing with by a dental professional. Cracked, chipped, decayed or missing teeth need to be dealt with so that you can eat, drink and talk with comfort and ease.