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Hello, dear readers of the site! Dentophobia (stomatophobia, odontophobia) is a panic fear of the dentist. And today we will analyze the methods of dealing with the fear of going to the dentist.
What is it like?
I think it will not be a revelation to anyone that most of the people on the planet are afraid of dentists.
Simply, there are those who experience mild anxiety, which is a completely normal reaction. And there are odontophobes directly, who are almost impossible to «pull» into the doctor’s office.
And if the specialist may well talk to the first category, reassure them, then conversations with the second category are useless. Only when he sees the drill, hears the smell of medicines, he will lose consciousness, or start crying and begging not to touch him.
And a completely adult, mature person in a fit of panic will begin to behave like a child, biting, breaking free and waving his arms.
This phobia is so common because the teeth are actually in the head, near the brain.
Human psychology is such that he perceives pain in the area of vital organs as a catastrophe. A threat not just to health, but to life in general.
For example, if a leg hurts, it will not cause any special feelings, because in extreme cases you can live without it. This is if you really strengthen and exaggerate.
But with problems with the heart, head — it is impossible to take it like that and reassure yourself that everything will be in order.
Evidence
There is an upset stomach, up to nausea, diarrhea and vomiting. Hand tremor, and indeed, the whole body is a little cowardly. Panic arises when it becomes so scary that it is not clear what to do and how to deal with yourself now.
Because it seems that right now death will come, and no one can save, come to the rescue.
Also, blood pressure rises, heart rate and respiration increase. There may not be enough air, which frightens even more.
The perception of the surrounding reality is so narrowed that it is impossible to think rationally and notice the real danger.
For example, at the moment of an attack, an odontophobic person may simply not see that a hatch is open ahead and, running away from the hospital, fall into it.
You will learn more about what other signs of a manifestation of a phobia exist from an article devoted directly to this topic.
Causes
Properties of the nervous system
Individuals who overreact to any stimuli are prone to developing phobic disorders. Therefore, they experience panic at the thought that they should go to the dentist, even just for a preventive examination.
Negative experience
Usually, the fear of dentists arises as a result of a negative experience experienced. Especially among people who were treated by Soviet specialists. They had to endure pain, since most of the manipulations were performed without anesthesia.
Therefore, the sound of a drill causes horror in almost everyone. From him literally «the blood runs cold», and the heart stops.
By the way, not only one’s own experience, but also someone else’s can play a role in the development of a phobia. After listening to stories from close people, friends and just acquaintances, thoughts will involuntarily appear about whether this will happen to me? And then fantasy draws more interesting plots, and, voila, odontophobia is ready.
Character type
Authoritarian individuals cannot afford to lose control of the situation and become defenseless.
Why do they not have such a pronounced fear of the dentists themselves and the likely pain as the fear of seeming vulnerable. They usually occupy leadership positions and are perfectionists.
Education
To influence the behavior of the child, when the parent does not cope with his, so to speak, functions, he sometimes uses the method of intimidation, blackmail.
This is when they say that if you don’t obey, I will hand you over to the police, boarding school. Or I’ll take you to the hospital, where they will make a painful injection, or even better — to the dentist. Who will pull out the teeth, or will drill them with a drill.
In such cases, the baby simply does not have a chance to adequately perceive the dentist. If they are intimidated, like a monster, then how can they understand that he actually wants good, and not intentionally harm?
What is dangerous?
Remember that the sooner you take care of both your teeth and the fear of their treatment, the less suffering and inconvenience you will experience. Because, for example, by not visiting a specialist, choosing to endure pain, you risk, in the end, getting on the operating table, and not in the dentist’s chair.
In addition, problems in the oral cavity negatively affect the state of the body as a whole.
That is, the stomach may hurt, there will be difficulties with digesting food, bad breath and disorders of the articulatory apparatus. Speech becomes slurred, hard to hear, and hard to understand.
And if you “launch” the phobia itself directly, then it threatens to “grow” to such an extent that a person will limit communication with others and become isolated in himself. Stop leaving the house, answering calls.
This will gradually lead to depression and degradation, attempts to commit suicide, just to end suffering.
What to do?
Naturally, the first thing to do is to contact a psychotherapist, as soon as you understand, admit to yourself that «I’m afraid.» It will help you discover the reasons why you have dental phobia.
Learn how to deal with your feelings, in particular fear, anxiety, anxiety and horror. Rather, together you will look for ways that will return you to a calm state.
If the disorder is completely “launched” and health problems are already observed, a visit to a psychiatrist is a must. Not to be registered as crazy and so on. No way.
He will simply prescribe you medication, which will allow, for example, to even out the emotional background. You will no longer experience mood swings, and you will finally find peace and be able to enjoy life as you once did.
Also, with the help of drugs, you will improve sleep, getting rid of insomnia and nightmares. Accordingly, the body will begin to restore the resources that were wasted on living anxiety.
If possible, try to overcome fear on your own. In the plan, just go to the dentist for a checkup. Talk to him, ask questions of interest regarding the treatment process itself.
For example, what is the plan of action, and what drugs, tools he will use. Ask him in the process of work, if you later sign up for the procedure, to cheer you up and explain, warn you what exactly he is going to do.
Don’t be afraid to be direct about your phobia. That it is not easy for you to cope with your feelings, therefore, some reactions may cause bewilderment among the staff.
Therefore, ask for forgiveness in advance, as well as give you the opportunity to calm down without exerting pressure, both psychological and physical.
Degree of manifestation
Light
The person experiences excitement, perhaps anxiety, directly when he enters the office. Sometimes at the thought that you will have to treat your teeth, as problems have arisen.
But to a greater extent, experiences due to uncertainty. When it is not clear what exactly needs to be done, how uncomfortable, painful it will be. And, of course, how much will it cost in the end.
Average
Anxiety appears from the moment a trip to the dentist is planned. But usually, after the treatment, the person calms down.
If the doctor turned out to be patient and supportive, and the procedures themselves are not as painful as expected, then there is a chance to get rid of dental phobia over time. Unless, of course, you do not devalue the experience gained, but rely on it in the future.
severe
As you might guess, it is at this stage that without the help of a psychotherapist and a psychiatrist, there is no way.
The patient goes to the dentist only as a last resort, when the pain is acute, complications have appeared, and in general, surgical intervention is indicated. And then, it is impossible to sit in a chair.
Therefore, anesthesia is occasionally used, if there are no contraindications. The doctor’s recommendations are usually not followed, which is a reason to get an appointment again in the near future.
Everything is complicated by the fact that when diseases of the gums and teeth are neglected, the process of their treatment can be long and painful.
And this leads to the fact that a person is not able to overcome his horror, since he really experiences a lot of unpleasant sensations at every visit.
Recommendations
How not to be afraid of dentists if you have heard enough terrible stories, for example, 20 years ago? Modern medicine is developing at a rapid pace.
Now it has become available to carry out a lot of procedures almost painlessly, which until recently were considered quite unpleasant and complicated.
Just know that if you were inflicted a lot of pain during the treatment of caries 5 years ago, this does not mean that it will be the same today. Now even drilling a tooth is not necessary, there are situations when this process can be avoided.
So the best way, which suits both adults and children, is to get new experiences.
Only by making sure by your own example that there are people with a good heart among dentists, and not just maniacs who want to cause suffering, will you become less wary of them.
Bring a loved one with you to your appointment who can support you. And most importantly — talk to your doctor that you need a little more time to calm down and a more attentive, caring approach.
Completion
And that’s all for today, dear readers! Stay with us, subscribe to site updates. And you will learn how to stop being afraid of horses, or, for example, loneliness.
Take care of yourself and, of course, be healthy and happy!
The material was prepared by a psychologist, Gestalt therapist, Zhuravina Alina