How to Overcome Dental Phobia

Forget spiders, heights and flying: one in four of us is scared of the dentist, according to a survey by the British Dental Association. Since we're also not too keen on rotting teeth, gum disease or dentures, it's time we tackle the problem – so what is dental phobia and how can we overcome it?

What Is Dental Phobia?

"Everybody's afraid of the dentist," says 10 Years Younger dentist Uchenna Okoye, Clinical Director of London Smiling. "I'm actually a dental phobic myself - my dentist keeps asking me to go somewhere else because I'm a nightmare."

"Less than 50% of the British public go to the dentist," she adds. "It's funny because I often see patients who've been staying away because they feel that they're going to be judged. I tell them that they're in the top echelons of society just by being here."

Strictly speaking, the correct term for what most of us suffer with is dental anxiety - a fear that may make us avoid the dentist or dread our appointments. Dental phobia is a more extreme condition that only affects about 10% of us and is a particular problem for people with special needs. (For more information on getting dental treatment for somebody with learning difficulties or a disability, visit the British Dental Health Foundation.)

So what is it about visiting the dentist that makes it so terrifying? "For me, it was a bad experience as a kid," says Uchenna. "My dentist extracted a tooth without any anaesthetic. I told him it hurt and he said it was my imagination. Incidents like that can put you off for life." Other common reasons include fear of anaesthetic, fear of choking, fear of the drill and fear of needles.

Avoiding the situation is not an option. "If you are phobic, unfortunately you need to see the dentist more than anyone, because if you go for regular check-ups you'll need less dentistry," warns Uchenna. "If you stay away until it's painful, you're probably going to be looking at some serious dental work. Prevention is always less unpleasant than cure."

Overcoming Dental Phobia

"When you're lying in the chair and you don't know what's coming, it's alarming," says Uchenna. "Somebody taking the time to chat to you, explain what's going on and build up trust is a huge help."

Be picky about your dentist - if you don't like them shop around for another one. Ask friends for recommendations and use the British Dental Association website to find dentists in your area who are especially good with anxious patients. "Go with your gut feeling," advises Uchenna. "If your dentist is easy to talk to and you feel comfortable with them, the experience becomes a lot less scary."

Tell your dentist you're anxious. A good dentist will talk you through what they're doing and encourage you to tell them if you're in pain. If you've got a long procedure like root canal coming up, consider taking music and headphones. Drowning out the sound of that dreaded drill can be a good start in keeping your cool. "If you know the things that help you, no half-decent dentist will mind at all," says Uchenna.

> Advice on sedation, hypnotherapy and acupuncture for dental phobics