Going to the dentist doesn’t have to be painful.
Most people could probably name a million things they’d rather do than go to the dentist. The idea that dental work is painful and even torturous is deeply embedded in popular culture. For example, in the hit ABC series “Scandal,” an ex-CIA operative named Huck removes a woman’s molar without an anesthetic to extract information. In perhaps the most famous dentistry-as-torture scene, in the 1976 movie “Marathon Man,” a Nazi war criminal inflicts dental agony on Dustin Hoffman’s character. Fortunately, such torture is rare in real life, but many people avoid going to the dentist “until they have a problem,” says Dr. Cherae M. Farmer-Dixon, dean of the School of Dentistry at Meharry Medical College in Nashville. “There’s a stigma associated with the dentist, and I think it stems from the fear of pain,” she says. “I’ve had patients tell me that their toothache hurts worse than giving birth. Oral pain is very real, but if you see a dentist regularly, many of the painful issues can be prevented. Additionally, thanks to advances in technology, for many, dentistry can be a pain-free experience.” It’s crucial to take care of your teeth and gums with regular dental appointments, since your oral health affects your overall well-being. Here are seven strategies for mitigating the physical and psychological discomfort associated with going to the dentist:
Ask for a topical anesthetic.
Many people associate dental work with pain, says Dr. Scott Shamblott, a dentist in Hopkins, Minnesota, and author of “Fear-Free Dental Care: Finding a Dentist You Can Love.” What’s more, many patients aren’t crazy about the way local anesthesia was administered for many years — with injections from a long needle directly into the gums. Advances in treatment make those anxieties mostly outdated, Shamblott says. For example, your dentist can apply a topical anesthetic, which is an ointment, to pre-numb your gums so you don’t feel the injection of the local anesthetic. Pain-numbing agents are common for an array of procedures, such as deep cleaning to treat gum disease, fillings and crowns. Your dentist may sedate you for more invasive procedures, like a root canal, according to the American Dental Association. Sedation can be administered with a pill, by IV or by inhalation of nitrous oxide.
Use blindfolds and headphones to block certain sights and sounds.
The sight of sharp dental instruments and the sound of a dental drill makes some people feel queasy. Blocking your sensory intake of these sights and sounds can make a big difference. “While it is hard to make these [anxieties] go away completely, things can be done to help,” Shamblott says. “If the sight of dental instruments and equipment bother you, try keeping your eyes closed, wear a blindfold or use DVD glasses to watch a movie during your dental treatment. If the sounds bother you, listen to music on headphones or use DVD glasses. If the smell of the office bothers you, look for an office that is sensitive to strong smells and works to minimize them.”
If you’re afraid of germs, ask lots of questions.
Some patients are worried about germs in the dentist’s office, but sterilization techniques have come a long way, Shamblott says. “All equipment used in the dental office is either single-use, or it gets completely sterilized to kill all bacteria and is then wrapped for its next use.” Single-use products come sterilized and are used once, then discarded. To boost infection control, every dentist, assistant and hygienist always wears masks, gloves and protective clothing to minimize the chance of germ transmission, Shamblott says. “To ease your fears, ask questions,” he adds. “Find out how things are sterilized. Ask for a tour. This can help calm your fears and make you more comfortable with your dental experience.”
To avoid being lectured, do some research.
No one likes being lectured that his or her oral care habits are less than stellar, Shamblott says. If you have a couple of cavities or your gums are bleeding, you already feel bad enough and don’t want your dentist to scold you for not flossing more often or brushing your teeth more effectively. To avoid enduring such orations, search for a dentist who touts that he or she doesn’t scold patients. Some dentists advertise on their websites that they don’t deliver such lectures. For example, on Dr. Stephen L. Kirkpatrick’s website, the dentist in Olympia, Washington, says: “One of the most important aspects of being a dentist is building relationships with my patients. My staff and I don’t lecture or judge people about the current state of their oral health. We want to help people more forward from where life has taken them, with today as the starting point.”
Ask for dental care tips.
While your dentist may make it a point to not lecture you about your dental hygiene, he or she will be happy to provide you tips on how to improve it, Farmer-Dixon says. She suggests asking these specific questions: How can I improve my brushing so that my gums don’t bleed? Are there things I can do to improve the odor of my breath? Losing teeth runs in my family; what can I do to prevent this from happening to me? What is the best way for me to take care of my dentures? Taking better care of your dental health will make future visits to your dentist more positive and comfortable.
If you’re prone to feeling claustrophobic, ask for breaks.
Dental work is performed in extremely intimate conditions, which can be challenging for patients who don’t like other people being too close to them, Shamblott says. “Your dental care team will often be in your personal space, so it’s important to find dental professionals who will help make sure your needs are met while they’re taking care of you,” he says. “Your dentist should let you take breaks as needed and make time up front to find out what he or she can do to make you feel most comfortable. And then do that!”
To avoid feeling helpless, work out a hand signal with your dentist.
Some people struggle with dental care because they feel a total loss of control while sitting in the dental chair, and are unable to speak while their dentist works on their teeth or gums, Shamblott says. If you’re prone to feeling this kind of anxiety, work out a hand signal with your dentist. If you’re not able to talk in the moment, you can signal that you need a break. “I tell my patients at the beginning of every appointment that they will feel some vibrations and pressure, and that I cannot make that go away,” Shamblott says. “But they should feel no pain. If they feel any pain or need me to stop for any reason, they can simply raise their hand and I will stop immediately. And I do.”
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7 Strategies for Getting Over Your Fear of Going to the Dentist originally appeared on usnews.com
