Do you have dentistry fears or anxiety when it comes to going to the dentist?  Between five to ten percent of adults in the United States dislike going to dentistry fears. Dentistry fears or dental phobia is real and often keeps individuals away from the dentist for years, compromising their oral health.

Many of today’s modern dentists are specially trained to know how to handle fearful patients through a variety of methods. Medications and other treatments are available to reduce pain and alleviate dentistry fears during treatment. More than ever before, dentists understand that dentistry fears can be a real issue for some and they work with compassion and care to help them overcome their  dentistry fears.

Dr. Shane Porter of Premier Dentistry of Eagle defines himself as a dentist who is compassionate, gentle, and caring as he recognizes each patient as an individual with unique needs.

His patients agree that he is communicative and interested in each individual. One patient, (Donald C.), commented on Dr. Porter’s rate-a-biz page said, “This was my first visit and I was impressed with the amount of time they took to get to know me and my concerns. You know what they say, first impressions are everything. I am actually looking forward to my next visit!”

Dr. Porter has a 5-star rating on his review page! If you’d like to read more comments by actual patients, check out this link.

Some of the Top Reasons People Experience Dentistry Fears

There are some individuals who experience dentistry fears so strongly that they avoid going to the dentist altogether, which compromises their health and the condition of their teeth and mouth.

• Some people who experience fear of going to the dentist, do so because of prior painful experiences.
• Some are embarrassed about bad teeth. This can also be connected to guilt about poor dental hygiene and related problems, such as bad breath, visible cavities or missing teeth.
• Occasionally, dentistry fears can be brought on by indirect incidents, such as hearing about someone else’s bad experience.
• Viewing a negative portrayal of dentists can also have a negative effect on someone who fears the dentist chair.

Do any of these symptoms describe how YOU feel about going to the dentist?  If so, it’s important for you to understand your dentistry fears and to know that there are ways to overcome it.

Modern Dentistry Has Taken a Bite Out of Dental Treatments with Sedation Dentistry

Modern dentistry has come a long way from the dentist’s office of days gone by. Long gone are the crude instruments of the past when treatment was administered with little or no advanced pain management. Modern dentistry includes tools that not only make the dental procedures less painful, but they are more effective and faster as well.

Dr. Porter recognizes that dentistry fears are a real issue for some patients and he offers a variety of treatment methods to help you relax and feel at ease while in the dentist’s chair. He was trained in Sedation Dentistry and is skilled in administering medication from nitrous oxide to general anesthesia. Get a better understanding of the types of sedation available to help you get through your dental visit without pain. The lack of pain will then help vanquish your dentistry fears.

How Do I Overcome My fear of the Dentist?

According to an article on the WebMD website, “The key to coping with dental anxiety is to discuss your fears with your dentist. Once your dentist knows what your fears are, he or she will be better able to work with you to determine the best ways to make you less anxious and more comfortable.”  

Other strategies to help you get through a dental consultation and over your dentistry fears are as follows:

1.      Ask your dentist to explain what to expect at every stage of the procedure. This will help you prepare for what’s to come.
2.      Take a trusted friend or relative with you to your consultation. Having someone there as “backup” may prove helpful in getting through the fear.
3.      Discuss sedation and the role it will play in your procedure.
4.      Establish a sign between you and Dr. Porter when you want him to immediately stop what he’s doing. This can be as simple as raising your hand. Just knowing that you can pause if you’re feeling anxious, if you’re feeling any kind of pain, will help allay your fear.
5.      Talk to Dr. Porter about bringing your own headphones and music to your appointment. Music will serve as a distraction, and will drown out the sound of dental tools that may contribute to your fears.

Fear of the Dentist Can Put Your Oral and Overall Health at Risk

Avoiding routine dental care allows cavities and gum disease to flourish. If you only go to the dentist when you’re in pain, you will have more complex and costly treatments to rein in the oral problems. Long gaps between dental visits can also put you at a greater risk of overall health problems such as heart problems, strokes, and even memory loss. Routine checkups and cleanings are vital to your oral health and to your overall well-being.

If you struggle with dentistry fears, and haven’t been to the dentist in a long time, you should call Dr. Porter’s office at (208) 546-0655 to set up a free consultation. His compassionate approach, coupled with the skills and expertise will help you overcome your fear and get your oral health back on track.

Premier Dentistry of Eagle is located at 467 South Rivershore Lane in Eagle, Idaho and is easily accessible to patients in the surrounding communities of Star, Middleton, Meridian, Garden City, and Boise.