Visiting a dentist is deemed as one of the most common jitters in today’s contemporary world. The scent of the dental clinic, the frightening tools and appliances, and even the sounds at the dental clinic are uncomfortable for many. In fact, the reasons why many of us are fearful about seeing the dentist are due to misconceptions about the dentist and dentistry in general.
Here are some of the common misconceptions about dentists that you should be wary of:
- Dental appointments are painful and uncomfortable. While it is a fact that a few dental procedures are painful or discomforting, like pulling out a tooth and having braces tightened, not all dental visits are something to be fearful of. Most dental procedures are performed with anesthesia so that patients won’t feel more pain. Aside from this, there are pain relievers that you can take to numb the pain once you go home.
- Dental visits are risky. Just like in various medical procedures, a risk is always there. But the good news is that dentists in Honolulu and their dental staff have undergone exhaustive training to provide dental patients with outstanding dental service. The safety of their patients is their top priority.
- Dentists can only do teeth. Many of us are unaware that many dentists can now perform cosmetic procedures not merely concerning the teeth but the lips, gums, and the entire facial region. Dentists can now work with things like facial injections, including Restalyn and Botox. Nowadays, the field of dentistry is more modern and exciting.
- Dentists are fond of inflicting discomfort or pain on their patients. This is an absolutely ludicrous myth. To avoid fears and anxiety regarding the dental visit, it is advised to spare some time talking to your dentist before starting your scheduled procedure. By doing so, your apprehension will alleviate.
A few misconceptions about pediatric dentists:
-
The dentist’s chair is a torture device
In most less-than-pleasant depictions of the dental office, there’s one piece that stands clear and antagonistic—the dentist’s chair. Negative media portrayals might showcase it as an amalgamation of scary tools, bright lights, and restraints, all of which are meant to torture those unfortunate enough to participate. Older kids who’ve been to the dentist before can contribute to this misconception. Often, they do this to get a rise out of younger children. It would come as no surprise, then, if the dentist’s chair is the first thing that triggers your kid’s dental anxiety. And since you can only really come by a dentist’s chair if you go to, well, a dental office, it might take some time before your children overcome this uneasiness.
To demystify the dentist’s chair, you might want to take your child along your appointments to see what goes on. If possible, they can even try it out themselves before your routine prophylaxis. The more familiar they are with it, the less scary it becomes. -
Routine cleaning hurts
Another harmful misconception about the dentist is that all dental treatments hurt—even if it’s just a routine cleaning. Maybe your kids saw a similar scene in their favorite TV show, or perhaps they’ve heard an anxious relative talk about it. Because of this, they might anticipate the same thing during their visit, heightening their fear. An excellent way to combat this way of thinking is to reenact a dental visit during playtime. Just like the dentist’s chair, all it takes is a little familiarity to take away that veneer of fear.
-
Dentists are scary monsters
Like most medical practitioners, people tend to see dentists as sterile, unfeeling people who wouldn’t mind hurting their patients for fun. On the contrary, it’s in a dentist’s best interest to make sure their patients get the best care they can—primarily pediatric dentists. (Just check out our team!)
Finding a dentist that connects with your kids, then, is an excellent way for them to break out of that fearful thinking. Taking them to a pediatric dentist can help ease their worries in two ways. For one, their offices tend to cater more to children and often contain toys and bright colors. For another, pediatric dentists are trained to handle child behavior, making it easier for them to connect with your children.
The Bottomline
A dentist isn’t someone to fear of. He or she is the right person who can help us have whiter; cleaner; and healthier teeth, mouth, and gums. However, children will continue to believe misconceptions about the dentist until you help them demystify such beliefs.
To make your dental visit safer, tell your dentist about your current health condition. Take into account that a regular dental visit can improve your general wellness. As a matter of fact, there has been research that proves a direct link between gum disease and common diseases such as stroke, heart problems, gastrointestinal diseases, and other health complications. Thus, dental appointments are critical for all of us, healthy or not.