Given the situation we are all living through, many people are feeling fear and anxiety about going to the dentist. Trying to avoid the dental practice can lead to serious health problems, so at Clínica Peydro we are sharing some tips for getting over your fear of the dentist.
How to get over your fear of the dentist
Fear of the dentist, or dentophobia, has been with us as a society for years. The arrival of Covid-19, though, is reviving the fear of coming in, and it is leading many people to put their oral health on the back burner. The reasons a patient may be afraid of going to the dentist vary a great deal: fear that the treatment will hurt, fear of catching something, fear of needles, or even fear of the sounds made by some of the equipment used in dental practices for cleanings. If any of that sounds familiar, read on, because at Clínica Peydro we have some tips to help you come to your dentist far more relaxed.
Use the first visit to size up the practitioner
We know it is a difficult situation, so the first thing we recommend is putting yourself in the hands of a practitioner who inspires confidence and treats you kindly. You can tell from the first visit whether the feeling with a good practitioner is there. The way they treat you, look after you and talk to you will shape your experience throughout the treatment. At Clínica Peydro we always offer a free first appointment, not only to tell you about our treatments but so you can check whether our practice meets all your requirements and inspires enough confidence for you to choose us in the end.
Talk to your dentist and agree on a signal
Are you afraid of coming in? Tell your dentist! Most practitioners are empathetic, so they are generally very understanding about it. If you are afraid, talk to them so you can set some ground rules, such as agreeing on a signal if you feel pain. That way you know that if at any point you are in pain, your dentist will stop what they are doing immediately. At Clínica Peydro we regularly see patients with this kind of phobia, so it is completely normal to us that patients react differently to a first visit. The most important thing is that you do not leave the practice with unanswered questions!
Try to book a morning appointment
If you are afraid of the dentist, it is better to book your appointment first thing in the morning, so you do not spend the whole day thinking about the appointment ahead.
Do not arrive early
If waiting makes you uncomfortable or you are worried about catching something, we recommend arriving at the time reception gave you. Waiting tends to cause nerves and even anxiety while you wait to go into one of the treatment rooms. If you are the kind of person who prefers to wait, try bringing your own music or a magazine to relax and make the wait more pleasant. In short, find something to keep you distracted while you wait.
Ask questions — information is power!
There are situations that seem far worse in our heads than they really are, so we recommend you do not leave our practice with unanswered questions about any of our treatments. Will I have sensitivity after teeth whitening? What is recovery like after implants are placed? Does a gingivoplasty hurt? Do not leave with unanswered questions! Your questions help us work out what is behind your fears: fear of catching something, fear of pain or fear of the cost. Whatever it is, at Clínica Peydro we will try to find a solution to your worries. Going to a dental practice is crucial to good oral health. Remember that your fear of the dentist cannot get in the way of the check-ups the professionals recommend.
Covid-19, the biggest fear about going to the dentist
Since the pandemic arrived, many of our patients have felt a terrible fear of coming to the dentist in case they catch something. Our practice is your home, and your safety is the most important thing to us, not just at times like this but always. Even before the pandemic we were already doing it: every treatment room at Clínica Peydro is properly disinfected and all our staff are equipped with what they need to keep the risk of infection to a minimum. But what can you do to help us?
- Please do not come to the practice if you have any symptoms such as a cough or difficulty breathing. Just call us and we will rebook your appointment for a month’s time
- Come to the practice on your own. If the patient is a child, they may be accompanied by one adult only
- Try to wear a mask whenever possible
- Arrive exactly at your appointment time, so we avoid having several people in the practice at once
Remember that safety always comes first, so we all need to pull together to reduce the chances of infection. If we all act responsibly, the fear of going to the dentist because of infection risk should disappear. If you are interested in any of our treatments, remember that you can request a free first visit where we will give you a diagnosis and a personalized treatment plan.
