300 322
HEALTH&FITNESS
300
July14
Dental anxiety is a common problem that
can plague even the most rational and
intelligent person, says DR BRENDAN
GIN. Often, it is caused by a childhood
experience.
There are varying degrees of dental
anxiety, but even a low level of anxiety
can cause one to indefinitely put off
visiting the dentist for preventive care.
Some may force themselves to visit the
dentist – crying, sweating and trembling
all the while.
Others may completely refuse to go,
opting to live with gum infections, pain
or even broken and unsightly teeth until
the pain is more unbearable than the
fear and the patient is forced to visit the
dentist. Often, says Brendan, this means
that a problem which could have been
diagnosed and treated easily, requires
much more complex treatment.
Beating Anxiety
•
Find a dentist who communicates
well, is patient, genuinely caring and
makes you feel comfortable.
•
When scheduling your appointment,
Get Over It!
let the clinic know you are nervous
and they will allow a longer time for
your appointment. Choose a time
when you’ll be relaxed; not before an
important meeting.
•
Arrive early so you’re not in a rush,
and bring along a friend for moral
support.
•
Your dentist can discuss with you
a number of relaxation techniques
such as administering nitrous oxide
(laughing gas) or playing relaxing
music through headphones.
You’ll discover that modern techniques
and technology are less intimidating
than in the past, and that most
treatments – including injections – are
virtually pain-free.
“A Very Nervous Lady”
“A very nervous lady attended our
practice with a severe toothache,” recalls
Brendan. “She had walked past our front
door over 20 times before having the
courage to enter, whereupon she broke
down in tears.”
Having had a very bad childhood
experience, she had stopped going
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to the dentist and even neglected
dental homecare. “As a result, her teeth
had suffered both aesthetically and
functionally. Although a well-groomed
and successful businesswoman, she
avoided smiling, laughing and close
conversation.”
After many visits to acclimatise her
to the dental environment and build her
trust and confidence, Dr Gin was able
to resolve her immediate toothache
problems, restore good function and
organise a good preventative home
programme.
“The change in her attitude to
dentistry was astounding,” he recalls.
“In time, she decided that she needed
‘a new smile to suit her new attitude and
regained confidence’, in her own words;
so we used the latest porcelain materials
to rebuild and restore her smile. Today,
this formerly very nervous patient comes
for a check-up every six months.”
Smilefocus
Camden Medical Centre,
1 Orchard Boulevard
6733 9882 or 6112 3151 |
smilefocus.com.sg