Download - How to Conquer Your Fear of the Dentist - posted 2019 · 2019. 3. 7. · 3 How to conquer your fear of tHe dentist Everyone wants a healthy and beautiful smile. But fear and anxiety

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Page 1: How to Conquer Your Fear of the Dentist - posted 2019 · 2019. 3. 7. · 3 How to conquer your fear of tHe dentist Everyone wants a healthy and beautiful smile. But fear and anxiety

How to conquer your fear of tHe dentist

Everyone wants a healthy and beautiful smile But fear and anxiety about visiting the dentist can prevent people from accomplishing this goal

About 9ndash15 of all Americans avoid the dentist because of dental anxiety and fear This means 30ndash40 million Americans are so afraid of dental treatment that they avoid it altogether1 In fact of those individuals with dental insurance who hadnrsquot visited the dentist 20 said that fear of the dentist was their reason for not going2

If you have a fear of the dentist donrsquot give up hope No matter how challenging your fears may be there are resources available to help you

20 fear dentists and donrsquot go

what causes dental fears

Avoidance of the dentist can stem from dental anxiety and fear Both of these are reactions to unknown danger Itrsquos also possible you might not even know what causes these strong feelings

Some common reasons people are afraid of going to the dentist include3

rsaquo Embarrassment

rsaquo Pain

rsaquoLoss of control (the fact that you canrsquot get up and leave in the middle of the treatment or the inability to totally communicate while yoursquore being treated)

rsaquo Fear of medical settings or the dental office

rsaquo Fear of needles

rsaquo Cost of treatment

rsaquo Choking or gagging

rsaquo Unpleasant sights smells sounds and tastes

rsaquo Previous unpleasant experience with a dentist

rsaquo Post traumatic experiences such as physical emotional and sexual abuse

However personal and meaningful your fear(s) may be you should realize that your dentist is trained and familiar with these fears and able to help you face them

859188 a 1016

why is it important to overcome my dental fear

Getting regular checkups cleanings and X-rays is critical to your overall health Research has shown an association between good oral health and medical conditions including pregnancy cardiovascular disease diabetes obesity and several other conditions Poor oral health can also affect other more common problems such as bad breath poor speech and digestion

what are some ways to deal with fear of the dentist

rsaquoTalk to your dentist about your fears in advance of treatment ndash communication about fear is key4

rsaquoRelaxation and hypnosis ndash often listening to calming music can help5

rsaquoTalk to a licensed mental health professional about your fears Many employers offer an employee assistance program staffed with mental health professionals that can help you deal with your fear

rsaquoMeet with your dentist for a consultation before starting any treatment Write down your feelings and questions and share them with your dentist This will make you more comfortable with the dental office setting and the process3

rsaquoIf yoursquore concerned about the cost of your treatment ask your dentist about a payment plan Though most procedures are covered at reasonable charges many dentists will work with patients whose financial issues prevent them from getting necessary dental care

rsaquoAdvances in techniques and technology have made dentistry much more pleasant than it was decades ago5 New equipment and treatment methods make procedures that were once considered uncomfortable go more quickly and pleasantly than you may have experienced in the past

If yoursquore afraid of going to the dentist yoursquore not alone Overcoming your fears with the techniques described above can leave you feeling more in control of your own health

so go ahead and get that beautiful healthy white smile

1 ldquoDental Fearsrdquo Dental Health Med Accessed July 2016 lthttpwwwdentalhealthmedcomfearsphobiahtmlgt 2 ldquoDental Health Care Consumer Behaviorsrdquo National Association of Dental Plans Accessed July 2016

lthttps58056a18f927a2e47442-9af4b847d13f54face47462ecb6202f1sslcf2rackcdncomnadp_c9b85ee04d512f56775649b20779c0e2pdfgt 3 Michael Krochak DMD What is Dental Phobia Why do I fear the dentist Retrieved July 2016 from wwwdentalfearnet 4 ldquoDentists Provide Solutions to Make Patients Comfortable During Visitsrdquo Know Your Teeth Accessed July 2016

lthttpwwwknowyourteethcomnewsroomnews=articleamppid=89ampiid=816ampaid=4129gt 5Hubbard Sylvia ldquoEasy Way to Conquer Fear of the Dentistrdquo November 2014 lthttpwwwnewsmaxcomHealthHeadlinedentist-fear-hypnosis20141113id607091gt

This document is provided by Cigna solely for informational purposes to promote customer health It does not constitute medical advice and is not intended to be a substitute for proper dental care provided by a dentist Cigna assumes no responsibility for any circumstances arising out of the use misuse interpretation or application of any information supplied in this document Always consult with your dentist for appropriate examinations treatment testing and care recommendations

All Cigna products and services are provided exclusively by or through operating subsidiaries of Cigna Corporation including Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company Connecticut General Life Insurance Company Cigna HealthCare of Connecticut Inc and Cigna Dental Health Inc and its subsidiaries The Cigna name logo and other Cigna marks are owned by Cigna Intellectual Property Inc

859188 a 1016 copy 2016 Cigna Some content provided under license

Page 2: How to Conquer Your Fear of the Dentist - posted 2019 · 2019. 3. 7. · 3 How to conquer your fear of tHe dentist Everyone wants a healthy and beautiful smile. But fear and anxiety

why is it important to overcome my dental fear

Getting regular checkups cleanings and X-rays is critical to your overall health Research has shown an association between good oral health and medical conditions including pregnancy cardiovascular disease diabetes obesity and several other conditions Poor oral health can also affect other more common problems such as bad breath poor speech and digestion

what are some ways to deal with fear of the dentist

rsaquoTalk to your dentist about your fears in advance of treatment ndash communication about fear is key4

rsaquoRelaxation and hypnosis ndash often listening to calming music can help5

rsaquoTalk to a licensed mental health professional about your fears Many employers offer an employee assistance program staffed with mental health professionals that can help you deal with your fear

rsaquoMeet with your dentist for a consultation before starting any treatment Write down your feelings and questions and share them with your dentist This will make you more comfortable with the dental office setting and the process3

rsaquoIf yoursquore concerned about the cost of your treatment ask your dentist about a payment plan Though most procedures are covered at reasonable charges many dentists will work with patients whose financial issues prevent them from getting necessary dental care

rsaquoAdvances in techniques and technology have made dentistry much more pleasant than it was decades ago5 New equipment and treatment methods make procedures that were once considered uncomfortable go more quickly and pleasantly than you may have experienced in the past

If yoursquore afraid of going to the dentist yoursquore not alone Overcoming your fears with the techniques described above can leave you feeling more in control of your own health

so go ahead and get that beautiful healthy white smile

1 ldquoDental Fearsrdquo Dental Health Med Accessed July 2016 lthttpwwwdentalhealthmedcomfearsphobiahtmlgt 2 ldquoDental Health Care Consumer Behaviorsrdquo National Association of Dental Plans Accessed July 2016

lthttps58056a18f927a2e47442-9af4b847d13f54face47462ecb6202f1sslcf2rackcdncomnadp_c9b85ee04d512f56775649b20779c0e2pdfgt 3 Michael Krochak DMD What is Dental Phobia Why do I fear the dentist Retrieved July 2016 from wwwdentalfearnet 4 ldquoDentists Provide Solutions to Make Patients Comfortable During Visitsrdquo Know Your Teeth Accessed July 2016

lthttpwwwknowyourteethcomnewsroomnews=articleamppid=89ampiid=816ampaid=4129gt 5Hubbard Sylvia ldquoEasy Way to Conquer Fear of the Dentistrdquo November 2014 lthttpwwwnewsmaxcomHealthHeadlinedentist-fear-hypnosis20141113id607091gt

This document is provided by Cigna solely for informational purposes to promote customer health It does not constitute medical advice and is not intended to be a substitute for proper dental care provided by a dentist Cigna assumes no responsibility for any circumstances arising out of the use misuse interpretation or application of any information supplied in this document Always consult with your dentist for appropriate examinations treatment testing and care recommendations

All Cigna products and services are provided exclusively by or through operating subsidiaries of Cigna Corporation including Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company Connecticut General Life Insurance Company Cigna HealthCare of Connecticut Inc and Cigna Dental Health Inc and its subsidiaries The Cigna name logo and other Cigna marks are owned by Cigna Intellectual Property Inc

859188 a 1016 copy 2016 Cigna Some content provided under license