Fear Of Dentists - You Can Beat It

You do not need to tell me what is real fear of the dentist for some people.

Been there, done that, got the T-shirt stamped "dental phobia."

My story is fairly typical: I had a very bad experience as a child. It was in England over 40 years. I was eight years ago when a dentist pulled two teeth with caries again without notice and without anesthesia. There was blood everywhere

I screamed the place down and not go near a dentist until their teenage years, although the efforts of my parents'.

Then I need a nice pair of fillings, but my cousins the same age had their swagger by going to the dentist so much that I was satisfied with them. What I do not say it was their dentist was an old duffer who does not believe it was necessary to meet local anesthesia.

I have endured some very painful fillings had a horrible recent experience with the extraction of gas - I can still remember holding the mask on my face that I had trouble before leaving - and avoid dentists again for another three years.

At the age of 16 years, I found a dentist who could petrify patients with the injection of anesthesia - even if just need a couple of fillings. I was still scared silly, but sleeps through the procedure was easy and soon I had about 10 fillings. Easier to fix in a hurry, I have time for the dentist for many years.

By the time I was in the mid 20s, I realized that I needed a serious reconstruction of the deal with crooked teeth that have never been stretched like a child, like a couple of teeth that made me look as Dracula. I have several crowns.

All my previous dental treatment had been covered by the British health service - in essence dental public - but I was persuaded to try a private dentist for a more complex than needed.

So I took a loan, dragged me to the dentist and explained my horror at what lay ahead. I will be forever indebted to this man to reassure me that a) it does not hurt me and b) local anesthetic numbed pain.

He was right - and although I still can not say that I look forward to in the dental chair, I am no longer paralyzed by fear. I can handle it.

So you can. Here are some tips to help you:

* Shop around for a dentist you feel comfortable. The dentists are eager to reassure nervous patients, and many make it a point to advertise "painless dentistry". There is really no such thing as dentists can now use the gel inside the mouth that numbs the tissue before being injected anesthetic. I often can not believe you have injected because I honestly have not heard anything.

* Talk with other patients - especially those who have overcome their fear of dentists - for the support and encouragement.

* Try meditation to calm the mind before the trip to your dentist. Walk a dental practice, where confidence and focus on deep breathing to calm the nerves. Some dentists also offer hypnosis to calm the patient - try it.

* The sound of people feared monsters drilling. Take your iPod and see if the dentist has the headphones to listen to music while he or she works. I also like the light shining in my face if I put my glasses.

* If the fear of the unknown that bothers you, your dentist will explain what he or she is doing. On the other hand, if the details that bother - do not ask!

Although the memory of my childhood dental experiences will always be there, I have overcome the fear of the dentist with the will and patience incredible support and professionalism of all dentists who treated me as an adult. You can do it - get started today!