Chilling horror stories race through your mind as you sit in anxious wait. The buzz of a drill permeates the air. Fast. Grinding. Your eyes fixate at the door. Frantic questions. Worst case scenarios. Excuses to leave.
Wide-eyed, you await your inevitable turn for the dentist's call.
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Greetings and salutations dear reader.
This post is the first of many I hope to publish in the near future. It's really more of thinking out loud (if you can call blogging online that) and pondering a topic that's been baffling me for a few months now: the fear of going to the dentist's.
Now keep in mind this is my own opinion and experience. One does not simply talk out of their ass unless they wish to get spanked. So take it for what it's worth.
Many of us have heard of the horrors that occur on the dentist's chair. The bright light, the laying-down position, mouth opened, exposed to the tools and eyes of the dentist. The prodding. The pain. The sound of that terrifying drill that changes pitch as it grinds against a tooth.
Yes, we've all heard it. Friends, family, the media have all shared some aspect of it. Not always in a positive light.
So the main question here is.. WHY do we hesitate to step foot in a dentist's office?
I suppose some reasons would be anticipating the pain that normally comes with dental visits, the terrifying drill, the feeling of not knowing what the heck the dentist is doing to your teeth, the embarrassment that could come with having to wear braces if it comes to it - the list goes on.
Well, let me share with you my experience and a few tips on eliminating that fear.
First off, I'm that person who LOVES junk food and sweets. And you can imagine what chaos that did to my teeth. If not, try to imagine the worst possible. For years my parents tried to talk us into going to the dentist - not only to treat my horribly decaying teeth, but also to install braces to close my front gap. Well, procrastination was my friend at that time. The process of convincing all happened when I was about 12. I'm 22 now.
We've heard from family friends about the dental treatments. Of course, they shared how painful it would be and the process... none of it sounded appealing. After much thought and frustration, we finally went to the office. Personally, I had NO idea what to expect and how to act. The office was clean, the environment calm and friendly. It looked professional, yet friendly. The dentist himself was confident and amiable. (Pssst.. these are tips when deciding on a regular dentist.)
The first time sitting on the chair... was nerve-wracking. I opened my mouth and exposed my humiliation to a professional. Yes, he stated the obvious condition, but at least he didn't make me feel as bad. Which is good - it gave me hope. The monthly visits made it easier to diminish the nervousness that I first had. (Don't expect to like something on the first try. Some things need getting used to.)
Braces... they hurt a hell lot when they were first installed. That's to be expected. It's shifting your teeth to a better position. Remember when you had to remove your baby teeth and how much you cried? Expect that in a duller sensation for a few days. I recommend painkillers on the first day after installation.
There's no embarrassment in wearing braces. Weirdly enough, it was in fashion a few years back. Hm. But remember that it's a TEMPORARY requirement. A couple of years on it and keeping your regular appointment would help speed things up. People who poke fun at you for having them aren't worth your time. Really. Don't be scared to smile in front of the camera. Confidence, especially when wearing braces, is attractive.
For about 16 months, I went back and forth from the office. Each time got easier. Each appointment got closer to the brace removal. And during that time, I learnt how to keep calm. How? Try this:
1. Lean back into the chair and relax.
2. Close your eyes
3. Open your mouth
4. Trust your dentist.
I found these tips on a child-like painting on the office wall. I wasn't aware closing my eyes calms me down. It did. It blocked away the image of the dentist and his tools and the bright lights. If you still feel nervous or uncomfortable, listen to your favorite song while your dentist works on you. They won't object to that.
At the end of the day, you'll go home maybe feeling a little pain, a little sore but a big step closer to obtaining healthy teeth.
If you're still hesitant or scared, here's a word of advice:
Take care of your teeth first before the dentist does.
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Till next time,
L
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