We are all afraid of something and know what it is like when the fear takes over. The hairs go up on the back of the neck. The heart begins to pound in the chest and the palms start sweating. Being afraid is not a very nice experience and one that we could do without but then fear is usually irrational and we cannot control it that simply.

This is especially true when it comes to more serious chronic types of fear. These are often called phobias and are usually impossible to control. Common phobias include arachnophobia, which is the fear of spiders and the phobia of heights. However, one phobia is probably the most common of all; phobia of the dentist. Nearly 90 per cent of people admit to being slightly nervous when they visit the dentist but for some, this nervousness becomes a full-blown phobia complete with panic attacks. This can often prevent people from receiving the necessary dental treatment. This ironically increases the need for that person to see a dentist in the future as well as being the source of great pain and discomfort.

Dental phobia can be treated but this involves the patients having to confront their fears. Kingston-upon-Thames dentists are fully trained to help nervous patients and will be very sensitive to their needs. Unlike dentists of the past, modern dentists recognise that it can often be a very unpleasant experience to face your fears and will do all they can to help you overcome them. This may involve talking you thorough procedures or even trying to help you learn relaxation techniques to help you calm down before a treatment. No matter how serious your fear, there is a way to beat it and receive the treatment you need.

A dental phobia is like all phobias, it is an inconvenience. However, unlike most other common phobias it is also a damaging one, says a Worcester Park dentist. To be so afraid of the dentist that you never visit, will lead to all sorts of problems with our mouths, gums and teeth. It is amazing how people will suffer repeated tooth pain and discomfort by allowing this phobia to keep them from dental treatment. Some scientists and behaviour specialists are convinced it is an inherited gene, if your parents had the phobia, then the chances of you having it are quite high. There is actually no need for it; there are centres all over the country that cure all sorts of phobias. We know about the common ones; snakes, rats, spiders and birds in flight being just a few, but these are avoidable without any permanent consequences. The dental surgery today is a tranquil and pain-free zone; they even have a gel now that wipes on the gums to stop the feel of the needle. The needles by the way are now ultra thin anyway, there is no longer a stinging sensation when the anaesthetic is injected into the gums…are you still conscious? Of course you are. You really shouldn`t let an age old fear get the better of you like that. To overcome this fear see your dentist and explain the situation, many now offer a mild sedative before your visit or even better; hypnosis to help you. The rewards are really good as well, healthier teeth and less dental problems. If people can overcome their phobias by going to the zoo and handling a snake, rat or spider, or spend a day in a flight simulator to overcome their fear of flying, then you can get over your dental phobia.

When we hear the expression Root Canal it sends a shiver down the spine, mainly because comic dentists in movies use it to get a laugh, says a Molesey dentist. Well, it isn`t a laughing matter when people get a phobia about a simple, painless treatment that solves a painful problem in patients. It is all about infections really, we all get infections at one time or another, some infections can work their way deep into our teeth. A bacterium has a way of finding all our weak points, and in many of our teeth we have an inner chamber that is susceptible to infections. A bacterium gets in there and festers quickly, we take antibiotics that settle it down, but it’s often just a temporary measure. A Root Canal treatment is the only way to really solve this reoccurring problem and keep the tooth. Firstly the dentist will deaden your tooth, then they will drill out all of the middle of the tooth, this is a good alternative to losing the tooth altogether. Once the inner chamber is exposed, the dentist will scrape out all the bacteria and any damaged nerve tissue. This is all completely painless by the way, then they will sterilise the chamber to kill off any hidden bacteria. Finally, the dentist will fill the entire cavity with an antibacterial material; this will set as a solid substance and completely seal the hole. That should solve the problem of any future infections, and as I have already said, the name of the treatment shouldn`t put you off having it. Consult your dentist first and allow them to explain the whole procedure to you, it will make it a lot easier to handle, and you`ll be pleasantly surprised to hear from the dentist that it isn`t so bad after all.

Your hands are shaking. The sweat is pouring down your forehead and your heart is racing at a million miles an hour. You’re looking towards the door, wondering if there’s till time to make a run for it. If any of these feelings sound familiar when you visit the dentist, then the chances are you are suffering from dental phobia. In fact, for some people, the fear of the dentist is so great that they don’t even make it this far, preferring to avoid the problem altogether. This could be having a very detrimental effect on the health of their teeth. But dental phobia is something that patients are increasingly overcoming.

Many dental phobias have their roots in unpleasant experiences at the dentists, possibly during childhood, but the reality is that dentists have changed a great deal in the last twenty years. Dental surgeries are no longer the formidable and hostile places they used to be. Modern dentistry places a much greater emphasis on patient comfort and care than the extraction-happy dentists of the past.

In many cases, patients simply need to talk to a modern dentist to realise the changes that have been made. Today’s Sunbury dentists are much more understanding of patients needs and fears than they were in the past and will be happy to talk through your fears and address as many of them as possible prior to your appointment. They can also offer many other relaxation tips and therapies such as aromatherapy and breathing exercises. These have been proven to relax patients prior to treatment, allowing them to confront their fears and even overcome them.

If you had to compile a list of the things that people are most afraid of, there would be a few things that would instantly spring to mind. Spiders and flying would certainly be up there and not too far behind, I imagine, would come the dreaded dentist. According to a survey of 1,500 people carried out by the Cosmetic Dentistry Guide a staggering 93 per cent of adults in the United Kingdom are afraid of visiting the dentist.

Interestingly it is men that are more likely to be afraid of dentists, and far less likely to actually confront their fears. Women are worried too but it seems they are more likely to take pride in their appearance and realize the importance of looking after their teeth.

Most cases of dental anxiety can be traced to an unpleasant experience in the past. Others attribute the fear to the lack of control and feeling of vulnerability when in the chair. Some people use excuses like the lack of NHS dentists and expected high cost of treatment to justify not going to the dentist, but these excuses often mask a more underlying fear. Many children who fear a visit to the dentist do so because the parent has passed on the anxiety. Many dentists report of instances where parents have said at the end of the appointment ‘That didn’t hurt too much did it?’, and that being the first time the child had associated it with pain.

However, a fear of the dentist is a very real fear for many, and comes in two main forms. Firstly, dental anxiety, a term coined in the 40s, which is a mild fear or apprehension and secondly, dental phobia, which is a much more serious fear affecting about one in ten people.

Fear, as we all know, is mostly irrational. Most people’s fears are based on experiences 40 years out of date. Dentistry has advanced to such a degree that many procedures now are almost painless. Dental surgeries have become more like health spas than the funny smelling institutional buildings they once were. Visit a Surbiton dentist to see how they’ve changed and put aside your anxieties. There really is nothing to be scared of.

Dental phobias occur very frequently, even for those who visit the dentist regularly. They are more common in males than females. Dental phobics also put unnecessary stress on the dentist and staff. They frequently do not show up for scheduled dental appointments or only seek help when they are in severe pain, which can make their visits more stressful for them and their dentist. You should see your Shepperton dentist to maintain optimal oral health. Your Shepperton dentist will help you with dental phobia. There are many things that can remind you of unpleasant dental experiences that you had as a child; however the numerous advanced technologies available at your Shepperton dental clinic will help to comfort you. From lack of chemical smells that are now replaced by pleasant aroma therapies to the actual dental procedures, your new dental experience will be a favourable one. Your Shepperton dental staff will not embarrass you about not taking care of your mouth, and are very understanding of your avoidance of seeking prior help for your dental problems. There are also many other reasons why people do not visit their dentist. These can most, or all, be remedied at the Shepperton Dental Clinic. Just be honest with the staff and dentist about your dental phobia(s).