The official medical definition* of dentophobia is “a morbid, irrational fear of, or aversion to going to dentists.” The fear of being tilted back in a dentist’s chair and having hands and other foreign objects in your mouth is a very reasonable phobia. The problem is that it is one of the things in life that we all have to endure. To maintain a healthy and lasting smile it is recommended that we have our teeth checked and cleaned by a professional every six months. But for some people just the thought of this task is frightening enough.

Many people experience fear because of an earlier incident during a dentist visit which caused pain or a problem; enough for that person to clearly remember and not want to go through it again. Or possibly the sound of the drill, the fear of needles, or the different smells that result from a procedure. The good news is there is always a way for a patient to get over their fear, but the first and most important thing is to tell the dentist about it.

Dentists are not mind readers and while they realize that some patients may be apprehensive, they will not know that you are or why until you discuss it with them. It may be embarrassing, but the alternative of not seeking treatment and developing a problem that goes unnoticed is much, much worse.

All dentists have dealt with patient’s fears and it is doubtful that you have one that they haven’t heard before. Thus they will be able to give you some ideas on how to make your appointment as comfortable as possible. Or beforehand, you may want to think about what your fear is and what would make you more relaxed once you are in the dentist’s chair. Plus getting to know your dentist better can soothe the tension of dealing with a total stranger.

There are dentists that specialize in patients with dentophobia. Seeking one in your local area can be done online or in your local yellow pages. While online, search for support groups, articles, and books on the fear of dentistry. It is a common problem which many people face and for which there are many resources available.

There are fears that seem relatively easy to fix; a Walkman to drown out the sounds of a drill and aromatherapy oils to cover the strange smells. The gentle touch of a dentist or assistant make the administration of Novocain through a needle painless. Even practicing meditation can be a big comfort and allow the patient to “escape” the current situation.

For someone who is generally anxious there are several ways to relax. Asking the dentist to explain what he is doing step by step or putting up a hand when you want to stop for a moment. Those with more serious anxiety, nitrous oxide, oral or IV tranquilizers, or general anesthesia may be necessary.

In cooperation with other doctors, psychotherapy or hypnosis can be combined to help the patients with severe dentophopia. Even acupressure is being used a method of help.

With all the resources available to a patient, the most important thing is to take the first step and use them. Allowing teeth to go unchecked could cause very serious future problems, which would require even more frequent dentist appointments.

*American Medical Journal