Overcoming your fear of the orthodontist
The world of dentistry and orthodontics is no stranger to stress and anxiety. People from all walks of life may experience stress when it comes to the subject of dental health, teeth straightening and the impact it has on their confidence and self-image. Our Total Orthodontics specialists soothe nervous patients on a daily basis, helping them overcome their anxieties while providing the smile they’ve always wanted.
What is dentophobia?
Dentophobia (sometimes referred to as odontophobia) is the fear of visiting the dentist or orthodontist. It’s surprisingly common - 10% of British people surveyed claimed to have a phobia of dentists, and a further 18% described the feeling as a ‘fear’; not as severe as a phobia, but still somewhat scared.
It’s a phobia which affects more women than men, and unlike many phobias, British people are more likely to feel anxious about dentist visits as they get older. This is likely due to the increased likelihood of dental procedures being needed with age.
Stress-free teeth straightening at Total Orthodontics
We take pride in offering a range of services to make your teeth straightening journey as comfortable and stress-free as possible, from various methods of sedation to a choice of braces and retainers designed to suit your needs and lifestyle.
If you feel stressed about visiting the orthodontist, it’s really important you communicate this during your initial consultation, or at any point in your teeth straightening journey. We’re more than happy to put your mind at ease.
Let’s take a closer look at dental anxiety and stress surrounding orthodontics and dentistry, and consider ways to overcome these common issues.
Why are people afraid of the orthodontist?
There are many causes of stress, anxiety and fear when it comes to getting your teeth straightened. However, the vast majority of these fears are irrational - not helped, of course, by negative stereotypes in books and movies of dentists and orthodontists!
All of our orthodontists have one aim above all others: to give you a smile you can truly take pride in, and which helps you look as good as you feel. Here are some of the most common fears relating to dental procedures and orthodontics, and the reassuring reality behind each anxiety.
I’m scared of needles
We get it - needles can be scary. The vast majority of the time, it’s the anticipation of the injection that causes anxiety rather than the actual sensation of being injected (which is little more than a mild scratch).
Numbing injections are a vital aspect of dentistry and orthodontics, and the miniscule discomfort of getting injected with a local anaesthetic is there entirely for your own benefit. If this is a real cause of stress for you, speak to your orthodontist. They’ll be able to offer you a range of sedation options, as well as practical solutions like applying a numbing gel to the gums to make your injections even more painless and unnoticeable.
I’m concerned about braces being uncomfortable
All kinds of braces, aligners and retainers work by applying steady, gentle force to the teeth to change their position. As a result, some discomfort is inevitable.
Thankfully, the levels of discomfort tend to be very mild, pass quickly and can be counteracted with normal over-the-counter painkillers. As anyone who has straightened their smile will tell you, the results are absolutely worth the minor discomfort, and any issues can be raised with your orthodontist who may be able to make adjustments to help.
I’m worried about braces causing issues with eating and my lifestyle
Your orthodontist will advise you on what you should or shouldn’t eat when your braces are first fitted, and some foods - like very crunchy foods or sticky items like toffees - are best avoided altogether. Some orthodontic treatments, such as clear aligners, should be removed when eating and won’t cause any issues during mealtimes.
If you have questions or worries about how braces will affect your lifestyle - from food to sport and daily activities - be sure to talk to your orthodontist or dental hygienist. They’ve got plenty of tips and advice to clear up any doubts.
Thankfully, the levels of discomfort tend to be very mild, pass quickly and can be counteracted with normal over-the-counter painkillers. As anyone who has straightened their smile will tell you, the results are absolutely worth the minor discomfort, and any issues can be raised with your orthodontist who may be able to make adjustments to help.
I’m scared of not being in control during dental procedures
A lot of patients have anxieties around the thought of someone putting their hands in their mouth, or altering their teeth and not being able to see what’s going on.
If this sounds familiar, speak to your orthodontist - they’ve got plenty of approaches to make you feel more comfortable. Sometimes it just helps to be spoken to constantly throughout each stage of a treatment, or coming up with a hand signal to show you want to take a break.
I’m stressed about the cost of orthodontic treatment
Money worries are a common source of stress. At Total Orthodontics, we’re happy to discuss payment plans that suit your need and budget, meaning a straighter and more confident smile is more affordable and attainable than you might realise.
Four ways to overcome stress and fear of the orthodontist
It’s perfectly normal to be apprehensive or nervous about any dental procedure. However, there are a number of things we can all do to overcome stress, and make our visits to the orthodontist easier and more pleasant.
1. Identify what it is that’s making you nervous
Most fears are irrational - once we stop and consider them rationally, they become far less intimidating. Take the time to discuss your worries with your orthodontist, who will be able to take you through any procedures and answer all your questions. .
2. Attend an open day
Total Orthodontics holds frequent open days, which is your opportunity to familiarise yourself with the practice, meet the specialists, and raise any queries you might have. This isn’t just a great chance to get to know what teeth straightening solutions are available, it’s also the perfect way to reduce stress surrounding your first visit. Speak to your local practice about upcoming open days.
3. Schedule appointments first thing in the morning
A good psychological trick is to arrange your procedures earlier in the day. This will stop you from spending hours worrying about or overthinking your appointments prior to your visit.
4. Communicate your requirements
Your orthodontist treats nervous and stressed patients every day, and they want you to feel at ease during your appointment. Consider establishing stop signals (e.g hand gestures for when you can’t speak during a procedure), requesting sensory comforts like blankets or headphones, or gentle sedation to keep you relaxed.
Staying positive to overcome dental stress and anxiety
It’s impossible to overstate the impact of a positive mindset. There are loads of fantastic stories from real patients delighted with the results of their teeth straightening.
We’d highly recommend taking the time to read some of these patient testimonials, written by people who likely started their orthodontics journey with anxieties of their own. By following the tips listed above, staying positive and looking forward to your confident new smile, any fears about teeth straightening can become more manageable.
Ready to reveal your straighter smile?
Our orthodontists
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1. Free consultations are to discuss options and suitability for treatment. You may require a more in-depth clinical examination or diagnostic tests before treatment options can be discussed. There may be a charge for such examination or test, payable by you. The clinician will discuss this with you before any such examination or test takes place, which may be done during the same appointment as your free consultation.
2. Children under 18 can be referred for a free NHS assessment, subject to availability of appointments. Private consultations for children are excluded from this offer and will be charged at our standard rate but the charge will be refunded to you in full if the child commences private treatment following the consultation.
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Total Orthodontics and Bupa Dental Care are trading names of Oasis Dental Care Limited. Registered in England Wales No: 00478127. Registered office: Bupa Dental Care, Vantage Office Park, Old Gloucester Road, Hambrook, Bristol, United Kingdom BS16 1GW.
