Top Reasons People Avoid the Dentist

Dr Tariq Drabu, a leading dentist and specialist oral surgeon in the United Kingdom has revealed that there are millions of people around the world that avoid going to the dentist, even when they are in pain. In order to ensure good oral health, everyone needs to brush with fluoride toothpaste twice a day, floss daily and attend routine dental appointments.

Routine dental appointments are imperative to oral health. It’s an opportunity for your dentist to check your teeth and identify if there are any problems. Early detection can improve treatment results and also work out cheaper in the long run. Tooth decay caught early can result in a filling, if left untreated it can result in more expensive root canal treatment.

The most common reason people avoid the dentist is fear. Dental anxiety can be overcome when you understand why you are afraid and what causes the fear. Many dentists today understand dental fear and work with their patients to eliminate the fear. This can be done by relaxing the patient, providing sedation for treatments and also explaining the treatment in detail so the patient knows exactly what to expect before work starts.

Another reason people avoid the dentist is price. Many households don’t budget for dental treatments each month and someone needing the dentist may hold off as long as possible, so that they don’t affect their monthly budget. According to Dr Tariq Drabu, in the United Kingdom the NHS charges three bands. What patients don’t realise is that emergency treatment for agonising pain falls into Band A, which is affordable and comes in at less than £20.

Anxiety is a serious concern for dentists which can result in patients living in pain for months while trying to avoid a dental visit. The fear of the smell, the sound of the equipment and the process is all very real and can cause severe anxiety in a number of patients. Patients suffering from anxiety should look for a dentist in their area that specialises in patients with dental anxiety. The team and dentist will work to reduce the fear and ensure the patient receives the level of care they need for healthy teeth and gums moving forward. Once you can understand and overcome your fear, you can start attending routine appointments, which can eliminate the risk of dental problems in the future.

Dr Tariq Drabu also mentioned that he deals with a high volume of patients who are petrified of needles. What these patients don’t realise is that there are other options available and they need to discuss their fears openly with the dentist. They should advise the staff when making the appointment about their fear so the team can work with them to ensure they get the treatment they need and deserve.

Memories are another reason people avoid the dentist. Some people who had a bad experience in the dental chair as a child are nervous when it comes time to seek dental care. Dentistry is constantly evolving and there are procedures and techniques constantly being update which remove the pain associated with dentistry.

The final reason that people avoid the dentist is that they are just too busy. We live chaotic lives these days and there are so many households that juggle work and family, not leaving time to seek the dental attention they need. There are no shortage of dentists which can accommodate you during your lunch break or on your way home from work, so you can get the necessary treatment you need.