DO YOU AVOID DENTAL TREATMENT BECAUSE IT MAKES YOU VERY TENSE?

AVOIDANCE, A SYMPTOM OF EXCESSIVE FEAR

Has fear of dental work ever caused you to put off making an appointment?

Has fear of dental work ever caused you to cancel or not appear for an appointment?

When having dental work done,

• do your muscles become tense?
• do you start breathing rapidly?
• do you perspire more than usual?
• does your heart rate increase?
• do you have difficulty breathing?
• do you gag?
• do you have difficulty breathing?

If you answer 'YES' to any of the above questions, your fear may be excessive. It has been shown that people with excessive fear tend to avoid dentists, they also tend to have poorer dental health.

UNDERSTAND WHY YOU'RE AFRAID

1. Expectations of pain, i.e. how bad it will be, when it will start, how long it will last, will make you much more sensitive to pain than a patient who thinks positively.
2. Fear can also cause your body to release the hormone adrenaline. That is why you may feel jittery and nauseous.
3. Previous bad experience at the dentists; or even the medical physicians would make you more afraid.
4. Hearing 'scary' stories from friends and relatives can make you afraid.
5. Seeing dentists portrayed negatively in cartoons and movies can make you afraid.

WHAT YOU CAN DO

Below are some methods found to be helpful in coping with dental fear:

• Tell your dentist that you're afraid.
• Ask questions if you're afraid of a particular procedure.
  Knowing what's going to happen and how long it will take will ease your worries.
  Talk to the dentist about how he or she can put you at ease.
• Eat a light meal but cut out stimulants such as coffee and tea before dental appointments
• Distract yourself by using headphones to listen to the radio or your favourite tape.
• Establish a signal, such as raising your hand, to tell your dentist to stop the procedure.
• Think positively throughout treatment, using phrases such as "I can do it", "It won't be much longer", "I can stop it if I feel uncomfortable", "This dentist cares about how I feel".

Some people are dental phobics, i.e. they are so afraid of dental treatment that they avoid it altogether. If you or someone you know has a serious problem with dental fear that interferes with treatment, ask your dentist about how you may get special help.