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The Scare of the Dental Chair for Adults
Posted under Oral Health Care by OragenicsThe Scare of the Dental Chair
Why Many Adults Avoid Regular Dental Treatment
Just the thought of going to the dentist renders many otherwise extremely rational adults into people who would do anything to avoid spending a few minutes getting their teeth checked and cleaned.
According to a recent study conducted by Montana State University,
dental anxiety is a “pervasive barrier to dental treatment for many individuals.”
How Many Adults Fear the Dentist?
According to WebMd, up to 20 percent of the American population fears trips to the dentist. But why?
The reasons for dental fears are varied, but the big reasons include:
• Fear of pain
• Fear of needles
• Fear that the anesthetic won’t work
• Fear of having another adult in your personal space
• Fear of embarrassment from the after-effects of the anesthetics (like drooling, an inability to eat neatly, and even slight speech impediments)
The bottom line is that these fears are so real that an online forum, Dental Fear Central has been established as a gathering place for those who are looking for ways to make dental visits a less harrowing affair.
Dentists are seeking ways to get adults to follow through with regular dental appointments to ensure good tooth and gum health. From making offices feel less clinical to offering routine cleanings under anesthetic or hypnosis, dental professionals are bending over backwards to get patients into the chair.