Just last week we came across an interesting article we found at HealthyDay.com.
The article, Talk Therapy to Tackle Fear of the Dentist, provided an overview of 'Talk Therapy' and how this type of treatment has helped many overcome phobias about dental visits.
Dental anxiety -- or simply just fear of going to the dentist or having treatment -- is all too common. And, it's pretty normal.
The study
We don't find too many patients who are 100% comfortable with dental professionals rooting around in their mouths, especially when the patients knows that part of the treatment may address already painful areas in their gums or with their teeth.
In this study, originally published in the British Dental Journal, "British investigators tried an approach called Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), a short-term treatment typically involving six to 10 sessions. CBT works by providing individuals with skills to address their fear," said lead researcher Tim Newton, a professor of psychology at King's College London Dental Institute.
The study showed that, after completions of the sessions, the patient subjects 'took away a set of skills to help tackle their anxiety.' The process works by replacing negative thoughts with positive thoughts. By educating the patients, it gave them the power to overcome the discomfort associated with visiting their family dentist.
Per the article..."during therapy, patients learned how to identify their fear-related thoughts and replace them with more helpful thoughts. They were armed with information to challenge the unhelpful thoughts. They also learned techniques to cope with the anxiety that is likely once they arrive at the dental office, such as practicing controlled breathing and muscular relaxation, and gradually exposing themselves to what they fear, the researchers said."
What is interesting is that researchers found that "those with dental anxiety were less likely to visit the dentist and more likely to have cavities and other oral health problems than those who saw a dentist regularly. The researchers also found women more likely than men to fear dentists."
Read the entire article here: Talk Therapy to Tackle Fear of the Dentist
Would you like to talk more with a Stuart FL Periodontist about your anxiety?
We don't want patients to delay treatment. Our focus is to help our clients feel comfort and receive the proper treatment they may need.
If you have more questions for our office or our doctors, please call our office at 772-919-7093.
