All around the world, people express nervousness about visiting the dentist—and if you feel this way, you aren’t alone. A lot of people grow up feeling nervous about going to visit the dentist for their regular check-ups, and even as dentists, we can certainly understand why. Though dentists are nice and helpful medical professionals, we also feel for our patients. In this article, we will discuss these concerns and the truth behind them.
Common Concerns People Share
Every single one of us is unique, and we each have certain experiences that make us uncomfortable. It is completely natural to have anxiety from time to time, and sometimes it helps to really put a name to it and understand it. Here are some of the concerns that we hear about as dentists.
A Fear of Pain or Discomfort
The biggest fear that we hear about is the fear of pain or discomfort, and we completely understand. Sometimes, dental work isn’t that comfortable, and for some people, that can be a deeply unpleasant experience. The truth is that flossing and scraping are not pleasant, and we absolutely empathize with our patients.
One of the best ways to address this is to be upfront with your dentist and ask them what they can offer you to help. Sometimes, dentists can change certain procedures or make better accommodations to support your overall comfort levels.
Anxiety About Potential Bad News
There is a common concern when visiting professionals that focuses entirely on the diagnosis side of a visit. The reality is that sometimes when you visit a doctor or a dentist, you do get bad news. Knowing this, some people feel anxiety in advance that can cause them to experience discomfort throughout the appointment.
In every way, this is like waiting for the shoe to drop. It might leave you anxious while you wait for us to give you a clean bill of health, but it is important to understand that a diagnosis is a wonderful way to get ahead on maintaining your health. It isn’t fun to be told that something is wrong, but it is an important step towards correcting the problem.
Media Representations
Media representations of dentists are a big point of concern, particularly for our younger patients. It isn’t a secret that modern media paints dentists as malicious or scary—and while we don’t agree with it—we do understand that this influence can make people nervous about their visit. It is important to remember that these are media depictions, and most dentists are perfectly nice people that want to improve your health.
A Message from Dentists Everywhere
Your local dentists are just people who are trying to make the world a better place, but we know that we might not be your favorite part of the year. Good dentists will do everything in their power to support your comfort and help you to relax during your appointment. If you’re feeling nervous about your appointment, feel free to talk to your dentist about it. A lot of the time, we can help you to feel better.