how do get over a phobia of the dentist?

Answer 1

Let the office know before you have your appointment or when you go for a consult, but make them aware of it so they can advise you and treat you accordingly. We aren't mind readers, we can't treat the condition unless we can see it. Most cases can be treated with medication taken prior to your office visit and others don't require such extreme measures. Talk to your dentist about your unique problem and what sets you off. Usually after having a few visits to the office with a good dentist and staff, the phobia decreases over time. Get to know your dental staff, they want to help you! Good luck!

Answer 2

Most fear is irrational. Stop for a moment and close your eyes. What do you picture in your mind when you think of a depressed person, a person wrapped up in anxiety or a person who is scared?

Now close your eyes. What position is their body in? What body language are they communicating? Facial expressions?

I'll use an example: The University of Washington did a study of clinically depressed patients. These were a group of people who had spent years of going to see so-called therapists and had been diagnosed with this ultimate tag of depression before being admitted into this study.

During the study the group was divided up. One segment was given the latest wonder drug for depression while the other segment was given a placebo and participated in therapy that most psychologists/psychiatrists greatly tend to fail giving their patients although it has very positive effects on the patient.

Bottom line: the patients in the second group had a greater recovery rate than the patients given the new wonder drug.

Where does this fit into any type of phobia? Well depression is related to phobia of any kind. Master this concept and you will master all of your fears.

Start with a conversation with your dentist. Take your favorite music with you. Have a mirror also so you can continually see the smile on your own face. Lying down is likely exacerbating the issue here. Forget about therapy...it's for losers.

There are probably a hundred ways to overcome your fears. But you're not going to do anything I say just because I say it. So become your own guinea pig and take responsibility for your own life.

Stand on your own two feet and start trying different things until you find out what works. In the meantime, start writing an e-book on this subject so you can make money from your experience. Two birds with one stone.

Best of wishes!

Answer 3

There are dentists especially trained for people with a phobia, as yourself. Important is to let the dentist know in advance if there is not such a dentist near you. Give several ones a phone call and tell them your fear, but that you are concerned about taking good care of your teeth, which is a big plus. Most assistants which will answer the phone, do know if that dentist is capable of doing that for you. When you go, ask him to show everything he doing and using to you. Have him explain what it feels like, so you can prepare yourself mentally. Ask them to stop when you say so, or raise you hand, because with tools in your mouth, it's something hard to talk.
And ask for a double appointment, so he can take time and really help you. I think it's very brave of you at least considering to go

Answer 4

I had a very bad phobia when i was younger because of the gas mask being forced on me, but I found as i got older and the gas mask was banned, and the new injections were a lot easier to deal with so therefore i didnt mind so much as it wasn't sore, and as the years go by, it gets even easier.

i hope you have the courage to ask the dentist what he can do to help overcome the phobia you have.
he is there to take the pain away. so its worth it in long run.
xx

Answer 5

You just gotta do it. I had really bad teeth for years because I was afraid of the dentist and what he was going to say about the state of my teeth. I was soo very very scared but at the same time I was sick and tired of hiding my smile. I had to be dragged into the office pretty much,but once I was in and met with the dentist...it was all easy sailing from there. My smile is back and better than ever! Make sure you like and trust your dentist. You can walk right out if you don't like him/her.
Please check out this forum,http://www.dentalfearcentral.org/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl?num=1157288024it helped me bigtime in overcoming my dental fears. Good Luck!

Answer 6

I used to take a sedative before going to the dentist. I also had a tissue in my hand that I gripped. After a relatively good experience at the dentist, (short and painless) I'd tell myself "that wasn't so bad". After that the visits got less and less scary.

Answer 7

You can try counseling and/or ask your dentist for a mild tranquillizer to take before each dental appointment.

Answer 8

just think that dentist is your friend. and whenever you sit on the dental chair relax and have a deep breath. close your eyes. sometimes you can talk to your dentist whenever he lets you rinse out...

Answer 9

I take Xanax before I even walk in

Answer 10

tell teh dentist.