You will certainly be familiar with the typical nervousness before a visit to the dentist. But what if this nervousness turns into real fear of the dentist and stops you from going to the dentist? Let's find out together what's behind it and how you can overcome it.

 

What causes dental fear?

Dental anxiety is a feeling that many people share, and it can arise for a variety of reasons. One of the main reasons is a bad experience in the past. A painful procedure or insensitive treatment by the dentist can leave deep scars that reappear every time you think about a new appointment.

Fear of pain is also a universal human emotion. Nobody wants to suffer pain, and it is often assumed that a visit to the dentist must automatically be painful, even if this is not the case.

And then there is the element of the unknown when you visit the dentist. If you don't know exactly what to expect and what treatments will be carried out, this can lead to uncertainty and anxiety. The thought of lying in the dentist's chair and not knowing exactly what will happen next can be scary for some.

Finally, there is also a feeling of helplessness in the dentist's chair. At this moment, you are in a passive position while the dentist takes control. This imbalance can cause anxiety in some people, especially if they have already had traumatic experiences or generally want to avoid losing control.

Statistics on dental fear

It may come as a surprise, but you're not alone in your dental anxiety. In fact, studies have revealed that an impressive 10-20% of people suffer significantly from this specific fear. This high percentage emphasises how widespread and ingrained this feeling is in society. Such a realisation can not only be comforting, but can also pave the way for common solutions. The figures clearly show that it is time to take a close look at the issue of dental anxiety and find ways to overcome it effectively.

 

Strategies for coping: What can you do about dental fear?

Dental phobia doesn't have to be your constant companion. There are many ways to combat this unpleasant feeling and get back into the dentist's chair without any worries.

Below we have compiled some tried and tested approaches to combat dental anxiety for you:

 

1. Honest dialogue with your dentist

Trust is the key word. An open and honest conversation about your fears can strengthen your relationship with your dentist. An understanding dentist will listen to your fears and can offer specific solutions to make your visits more comfortable.

 

2. Guidance of the senses: distraction during treatment

Distraction can be a wonderful remedy for anxiety. Whether it's listening to your favourite music with headphones or looking at a calming picture on the ceiling - find out what calms and distracts you.

 

3. Find inner peace: Using relaxation techniques

Meditation, deep breathing or progressive muscle relaxation are just some of the techniques that can help you find your inner balance. Relaxing before your visit can make the whole process much easier.

By combining these approaches, you can pave the way for a more stress-free experience at the dentist and face anxiety with courage.

 

Prevention instead of fear: The key to a fearless smile

Dental fear is a widespread phenomenon, but there are numerous strategies and solutions to effectively combat it. Whilst open communication with the dentist, distraction techniques and relaxation exercises are great steps towards overcoming this fear, it is important to remember that the best prevention lies in the daily care of our teeth.

Thorough and regular dental hygiene not only reduces the risk of dental problems, but also reduces the number of visits to the dentist. And for optimal daily cleaning, we recommend our wonderful emmi-dent ultrasonic toothbrush. It provides a deep clean and helps to ensure that visits to the dentist become a routine check-up rather than a necessity due to problems.