People May Avoid the Dentist, But There’s Nothing to Fear

Your dad hasn’t been to the doctor in 12 years. When you mention it, he always comes up with an excuse. He says he feels fine, but you worry about what could happen if he doesn’t go for a checkup.

And then it hits you – you haven’t been to the dentist in three years now! Feeling like a hypocrite, you begin to think about the real reasons that it’s come to this.

There are several justifications people make as to why they don’t go to the dentist, but they are putting their oral health in harm’s way. Read on to learn about some common reasons people give for avoiding the dentist and why your dentist in Duncanville is no one to be scared of.

What are Some Common Reasons People Don’t Go to the Dentist?

Certainly there are more, but here are five reasons why people don’t make dental appointments enough or at all:

• Fear: The fear of visiting the dentist is called “dentophobia.” It is caused by experiences the person has had in the past. Some people are simply scared of sharp objects. A person may feel personally injured at the dentist or have seen someone else in pain.
• Lack of insurance: This can either be about insurance not covering needed procedures enough to be affordable or no insurance at all.
• Shame: Someone who hasn’t been to the dentist in a long time may have bad breath and/or a not-so-good-looking smile. They may be embarrassed about being judged.
• No symptoms: A person may think they feel great and have no need for an exam. There could be trouble brewing and they don’t realize it.
• Forgetfulness: People may say they simply forget to make an appointment. Writing it down on your calendar or to-do list can remedy that.

What are Reasons Why the Dentist is No One to Fear?

If you are scared of going to the dentist, here are five reasons you shouldn’t be:

• Dentists are people just like you. Your parents probably told you not to fear your doctor or teacher when you were a child. The dentist is no different.  
• The dentist just wants to help you. There’s no hidden agenda. Your dentist is there to make your teeth and gums as healthy as possible. That’s a big reason why they entered this profession.
• Treatments can be explained beforehand. Before you sit in the chair, the hygienist can walk you through the steps of the exam so nothing will catch you by surprise.
• The average appointment lasts an hour or less. If you are going in for an exam or a cleaning, it’s not as if you will need to be there all afternoon. It will be over before you know it.
• There’s nothing to fear with the tools. If you are worried about the cleaning tools, ask the hygienist to explain to you what they are used for before the exam.

You may think you have great reasons for avoiding the dentist, but the future of your teeth and gums are in jeopardy with every month you put off your next exam. Schedule an appointment so you can rest easy and know for sure that all is well!

About the Practice

At Bear Creek Family Dentistry, our team of general dentists and specialists are driven to excel in pediatric dentistry, orthodontics, oral surgery, and restorative dentistry. We believe that building a foundation of trust with our patients is a key component of our success. We treat every patient the way we would want to be treated. If you or your child has concerns or fears about their dental visit, please reach out to us on our website or give us a call at any of our 12 conveniently located offices. We are here to answer any questions you might have.