Dentophobia: you are not alone

If you fear going to the dentist, you are not alone.

Between 9% and 20% of Americans avoid going to the dentist because of fear. They exhibit classic avoidance behavior; that is, they will do everything possible to avoid going to the dentist.

These people usually go to the dentist only when forced to do so by extreme pain.

And as a dentist who takes emergency calls for a hospital, I see a lot of these patient in an emergency room.

This young lady has good oral hygiene. However, she had a cavity when she was a kid but she avoided getting it fixed. I saw her in the ER with her swollen left jaw. Luckily the infection was not in the most dangerous area. I did a quick I&D procedure to reduce the infection and sent her to our dental clinic for extraction of that tooth. I remembered her whole body was shaking badly before and during the procedure. Her anxiety was severe. She managed to overcome her fear that day.

Most people, including myself, do not like to be in the dental chair.

But dental issue does not get better by itself. Like, if your car starts to make noise, it would just keep making the same or worse noise. If you hate having your car fixed, you can buy a new car. You cannot buy a new tooth.

(Yea you can get implants, but you still need to be in a dental chair for the procedures.)

So it is best to overcome your dental anxiety.

The earlier you face it, the better.

Same thing for dental issues, the earlier you fix it, the less time dentists have to work on you and the better the outcome will be.

And folks, if you hate needle stick like I do, please maintain a good oral hygiene and see your dentist for periodic exams and cleanings. That way both of you and your dentist will have a better appointment. :)