A recent article on the internet by Isabelle Z puts forward the notion that a dread of the dentist and his drill may be down to a genetic predisposition. Everybody has a slightly queasy feeling when sitting on that reclining chair, which is only a normal reaction, but some people live in absolute fear of their next dental appointment.
Why this should be the case is unclear but the problem could stem from childhood memories and an in-built fear deriving from past experiences.
Luckily, there are many things dentists can do to help terrified patients, such as cultivating a gentle bedside manner and keeping frightening-looking instruments out of sight.
There are several factors which may play a part in this irrational fear:
– Parents. If your parents were scared of the dentist it is quite likely this fear was passed down.
– Pain. An overwhelming fear of pain can also be part of the genetic makeup which can be transferred to a fear of the dentist and particularly drilling of the teeth.
– Experience. A bad experience in childhood can cause a fear of visiting the dentist even if the memory is vague and distant.
Nobody sets out for a dental appointment with a broad smile on their face but there is no need for anxiety or terror either. In the modern era, dental procedures are generally quick and always painless. Some slight discomfort is the worst you can expect and dentists nowadays have adopted “a good bedside manner” to put patients at ease.
The article also gives some sound advice for avoiding unnecessary trips to the dentist and can be read in full at
http://www.naturalnews.com/2017-03-27-scared-of-the-dentist-scientists-fear-genetic.html.
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