Oral Health and Genetic Risk Factors

Coping With Dental Phobia While Having a Root Canal Procedure

Being afraid of the dentist is not at all uncommon. Dental phobia is something that affects a large percentage of the population. Many feel a vague discomfort when thinking about the dentist, while some are so afraid that they avoid going to the dentist at every cost. One common procedure that in particular seems to terrify people suffering from dental phobia is the root canal treatment. It's an important procedure to go through if it's needed, as it can save your tooth and make your overall oral health better. If you're facing a root canal while suffering from dental phobia, there are a few things you can think about.

Focus on curing the pain

Knowing that the procedure is perfectly safe rarely helps people overcome their phobias, as the nature of phobias is that they're often irrational. However, the pain you feel from the infected root should be far worse than the pain caused by the procedure. If you manage to get yourself to the dentist to have a root canal procedure done, there should be some comfort in knowing that your pain will soon be over. Afterwards, you can take pride in the fact that you succeeded, as well as in the fact that you now have healthier teeth than you did before.

Choose the right dentist

Choosing the right dentist for the procedure is of major importance. As you are already feeling uncomfortable and scared, it won't get better by having a dentist that you feel uncomfortable with. If you already have a dentist that you know, this dentist is probably the best option for you. The most important thing for you is to be able to communicate your fear without being scared that the dentist won't take you seriously. There are probably no dentists that would ridicule a scared patient for being scared, but knowing your dentist can help minimise your concerns about this.

If you haven't been to the dentist in a long time, you could look into the option of dentists who specialise in handling patients who are afraid of the dentist. If you are terribly afraid and can't find one of these dentists in your area, it might be worth it to travel for a bit to see one. Whatever makes you feel most comfortable is the right option.

Coping techniques

Finally, there are a number of coping techniques that can help you get through your root canal procedure. As it is fairly long, you'll need something to distract you from it. Bring your headphones along and listen to music or a podcast. Practice breathing techniques and ask your dentist beforehand if you can take a short break if the fear gets too overwhelming. There is no reason for panic, and making you feel safe is the most important thing.


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