Most people who are afraid of going to the dentist cite the dental drill as one of their biggest sources of anxiety. The drill is loud, noisy, and, if the dentist slips, can be painful.
Recently, the Society of Chemical Industry published a study discussing a new technology for finding tooth decay in its very early stages- almost at the moment it starts.
The new technology is being developed at King’s College London, and relies on using laser light to detect tooth decay. Lasers scatter light differently on teeth which have started to decay, due to the presence of bacteria on those teeth.
This laser light technology might be in widespread use in just five years from now; the researchers who are working on it are currently taking the procedure into human clinical trials.
This is good news for the 46% to 75% of the general population who suffers from dental anxiety. In fact, 6% to 14% of the population never goes to the dentist because of fear.
Fears about dental treatment are so widespread that dictionaries often include dentists as an example of something that can trigger a phobia (the fear of a particular situation or object).
Among those who do not visit dentists regularly, 90% report that the reason is dental fear. If you are nervous about going to the dentist, you’re normal. Issues may include the fear of losing control, a negative past experience, fear of choking, and other concerns, including fear of the dentist’s drill.
Dental anxiety and phobias typically arise from a history of bad experiences in the dentist’s office and can become a source of significant avoidance, depression, and anxiety.
Most patients develop dental phobia over time, and, initially, avoid going to the dentist. Any dental problems worsen over time, making it less and less likely that the dental phobic person will ever seek out dental care.
Most often, dental phobia is best managed through a combination of several factors.
Successful treatment of dental phobia relies on good communication with your dentist, allowing yourself to be distracted, being sure that your pain is well managed, and being skilled at relaxation techniques, such as guided imagery, deep breathing, and progressive relaxation.
Many dentists now offer guided imagery and other hypnotherapeutic techniques which can help those with dental anxiety feel more comfortable and calm during their appointments.
Not sure if your dentist offers this? Luckily, this is also something you can do for yourself, using our dental phobia treatment program. Developed by Dr. Bruce Peltier, an expert in hypnosis, this program will teach you how to hypnotize yourself so you can manage your dental anxiety.
This can help you get proper dental care before your teeth get any worse.
{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
Very interesting - am still a little weary… do you any more info?
Fear of the Dentist are the money charging practices. They are very close second behind used car salesman. Most dental insurance is terrible and would otherwise put you in the poor house.
My experience is good Dentists like MD’s take the time to reassure and comfort you. Frequently asking if there is any pain to let them know.
Dentistry today is still pretty primative compared to other medical specialty.
I have never been afraid to go to the dentist, but my husband is deathly afraid of going there. He definitely had some bad experiences when he was younger. The laser light sounds like exactly what he needs. But I wish it was going to be available sooner than 5 years. I don’t think this teeth can wait that long.
I have taken care of my teeth since I was 18 years old. My eldest son is deathly afraid of the dentist and will only go when a toothache is unbearable. So sad. Hope you can move up the laser light soon.
Surprisingly, I have never had anxiety over going to the dentist (OK, when I was about 10, my earliest memory of a dentist). I have heard about the fear of dentists, though, and I can imagine the horror that a person might feel! But it is an irrational fear, and hypnosis sounds like the perfect cure for something like this. It is the reassurance, consoling, comforting, confidence (etc.) a person needs, which are exactly the qualities hypnosis can provide!
I am scared to death of going to the dentist! I have placed one of these treatment programs on order already!!! Asa matter of fact, I have a few teeth that need care, and I am putting it off! I hope this program comes soon, and that it will do the trick. I’m chewing on one side ONLY! i don’t know what it is. My dentist is a nice guy. He’s got a great chair-side manner, and he smells good, too! It’s just the dentist part. I would like him more if he wasn’t a dentist. Is there a program for that?
Now some dentists are using newer technologies. DIFOTI technology uses computers to collect images of your teeth while a light is shined behind them. Collecting images with DIFOTI takes more time than with X-rays because the camera has to be placed accurately on each tooth to collect the image. The technology is relatively simple to use, but the images must still be interpreted by a dentist, which leaves room for differences of opinion.
Thank you for providing such an interesting post on dentistry- it’s very informative & helpful! Love your blog, it’s good to see one with quality information for once. Keep up the good work! thanks for the post. -Shane-
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