Fear of the dentist is extremely common.
If you have had an unpleasant dental experience at any time in your life, it is understandable that you may be apprehensive about seeing the dentist, even if you are in pain. Not attending dental check-ups can lead to preventable issues like cavities, plaque accumulation and tooth decay. However, thanks to recent advances in dentistry, modern treatments are almost pain-free.
We will help to take your fear away
It’s stressful enough having a dental phobia but that stress is exacerbated when we avoid seeing the dentist especially when we’re experiencing tooth pain. If you are anxious, please make us aware of this fact and we promise that our caring, experienced team will be more than happy to discuss options with you. Having a good chat and airing your concerns are the first steps on the road to healthy, happy teeth.
How we can help
At Riversdale Dental in Camberwell, we understand how nerve racking it can be to visit the dentist when you have a phobia. All of our staff are specially trained to make even the most nervous patients feel at ease and can provide you with a genuinely pleasant dental visit.
However, it is more than just making you feel comfortable. Our staff can help you rebuild your confidence when you come in for a dental visit, helping you to overcome your phobia and regain control.
Non judgemental environment
A common belief among those with a dental phobia is that when they go to the dentist, they will be lectured on the condition of their teeth. We promise we will never do this to you! Our staff understand that you will probably be feeling vulnerable when you visit us, so we promise you a non-judgmental approach when you come in for your first check-up.
You are ALWAYS in control
Phobias often stem from feeling a lack of control in a certain situation; you experienced something unpleasant in the past that you could not rectify and now, you are fearful of that situation.
When you come to us for your dental treatment, you are in full control. We will take as much time as you need, advise you and tell you exactly what we are doing. If you only want us to look at your teeth on the first visit, then that is all we will do.
You’re Not Alone
High dental fear affects approximately one in six Australian adults and about one in ten children. Among some sub-groups of the population, such as middle-aged women, the prevalence of high dental fear may be as high as one in three individuals. Dental phobia, affects about 5% of the Australian population . It makes sense to find that many extremely nervous patients can have problems such as gum disease and tooth decay, simply because they have not been having regular check-ups, therefore making the whole issue worse.
You’re In Safe hands
We want you to be as comfortable and happy as possible. Our team will talk through all of your worries and the procedures you need and be with you every step of the way on your road to good oral health care. You may have cause to be fearful due to bad experiences in the past or even embarrassment, but be safe in the knowledge that nothing will shock us and we are here to help.
How can dental phobia affect your life?
Those with a dental phobia don’t just run the risk of losing teeth through lack of oral care, but could also lose their confidence. Lost or yellowing teeth can all add up to making a person have lower self-esteem than others. Some people become so embarrassed in social situations that they hide their mouth behind their hand when speaking or smiling and this can really start to affect a person’s whole life. This can result in their professional and personal life suffering to a tremendous degree.
People who suffer from dental phobia generally avoid the dentist. This avoidance behaviour can mean that they restrict their life experiences so that they do not do anything that has a chance of affecting their teeth. Some people experience a fear of anything going in or near their mouth due to associations with dental treatment.
Often, someone with dental phobia is eventually forced to go to the dentist due to a problem with their teeth. This happens quite frequently because they don’t have a long-term relationship with a dentist who is monitoring their oral health and stopping any problems getting to an advanced stage. When they eventually have to go, it is a very difficult experience for them that can be accompanied by any number of symptoms including sweating, panic attacks, shortness of breath, high blood pressure and so on.
At Riversdale Dental, we understand that everyone’s fears are different and we will help you overcome them. Every dentist has over 25 years’ experience in treating nervous patients and we offer various sedation options. Our relaxation sedation uses happy air, a mixture of nitrous oxide and oxygen, to breathe through a small mask over your nose and not needles – a leading cause of dental phobia.
If you have to visit the dentist but suffer from dental phobia, our caring and understanding team will guide you through every step of the treatment. We are here to help you and not judge you.
Common causes of dental phobia
There are many reasons why people are afraid of the dentist, some of which are unique for each individual. Generally, fear of pain is a very common reason to avoid visiting the dentist – that is until the pain becomes an issue. This fear, which is often logical given that some dental treatments used to be painful, usually comes from childhood experiences. Our childrens dentist in Camberwell will ensure your child has a pleasant experience.
Talking to your dentist at Riversdale Dental about your phobias is the first step towards overcoming them. Once they know what your fears are, they will be able to determine the best ways to make you feel less anxious and more comfortable. If you’re ready to take that next step, our caring dentists are waiting to meet you.
Come in and see us in Camberwell, or call us on (03) 9882 5566 to make an appointment today.
