Dentophobia- a fear of going to the dentist- is extremely common amongst many children and adults in the UK. Nervous patients in Guildford usually have something in common – they experience anxiety attached to trips to the dentists for reasons that may, or may not, be rational. Nervous patients in Guildford may be suffering from dental phobia whether they realise it or not. But the question is, what makes nervous patients in Guildford so afraid?

A fear of pain

No one likes pain, let alone dental pain which can be extremely traumatic and scarring. Once a person endures a particularly painful procedure with a dentist, it is extremely difficult to overcome and forget about it. In many cases, it becomes lodged in our brains and serves as a reminder that all experiences with a dentist must be the same. But this isn’t true whatsoever, no two experiences are ever the same. Thanks to anaesthetics, most procedures nowadays are actually painless. Some patients may experience minor discomfort after an invasive procedure, but this can usually be managed with over-the-counter painkillers.

Remembering a bad experience

One bad experience can set a precedent for every dental visit in the future. One bad experience can induce intense fear and can often stop patients visiting their dental practice when necessary, or ever again for that matter. Unfortunately, some procedures can vastly change the state of your mouth and may take a long time to complete. Naturally, this would be nerve-racking, but it should never put you off visiting your dentist ever again. In most circumstances, the worst has been and gone, and it can only get better.

Worried about bad news?

Fear of bad news is common across all medical fields. With modern technology such as google, it is very easy to self-diagnose and let anxiety consume us. Putting off news from your dentist can be very detrimental for your health if your condition is serious. No one wants to receive bad news, but it is necessary to improve your life in the long term and speaking to your dentist sooner rather than later could save you a lot of money or pain in the future. That being said, not all news is bad and patients need to remind themselves of that.

Fear of tools

Some dental instruments can look intimidating and scary. From drills to metal scrapers, some of their tools can induce fear in patients and can turn routine check-ups into traumatic experiences. Dental tools cannot be changed but rest assured, they are being handled by a professional at Farnham Road Dental Practice who knows how to work them. In most cases, they look scarier than they are.

Feeling vulnerable

Feeling vulnerable during a procedure can cause intense anxiety and fear. Lack of control or feeling trapped are common emotions to experience during dental work, but often this can spiral and lead to more fears. However, your dentist will always explain each and every step of the procedure to you, which should eliminate the fear of not knowing.