Those in the know say that a little bit of fear is useful – it’s what keeps us alive by kicking into action our instincts to survive danger. We are biologically programmed to feel fear. It is when feelings of fear and anxiety are so overwhelming to keep us from taking positive action where anxieties and phobias pose a threat. This is when fear can be crippling.
Take dental phobia as a case in point. Dental anxiety is a widespread concern in the UK with 1 in 5 people acknowledging some level of fear and anxiety at the thought of seeking professional dental care, according to a research study carried out by the Oral Health Foundation.
Avoiding dental care can result in serious adverse consequences, some serious enough to cause irreversible damage. The NHS lists a number of causes that would trigger dental fear anxiety and fear; a list that includes: past bad or traumatic patient experiences, fear of potential pain from treatment, panic at the sight of needles or sound of the dental drill and overwhelming feelings of loss of control whilst sitting in the dental chair. All-in-all, not seeing a dentist Fulham for routine dental attention, let alone much-need treatment, can have a far-reaching impact on overall health, as well as the quality of life experienced.
Impact of dental anxiety on health
The most obvious consequence of avoiding professional dental treatment is the downward spiralling of oral health and the increasing likelihood of dental emergencies occurring. It is only to be expected that accompanying a dental emergency is pain, and pain for many can be debilitating. Whether a child or an adult, pain due to a dental emergency can render one unable to focus on work, learning, eating, playing, socialising, or even sleeping. Everyday activities can become a nightmare to perform.
It is not just dental emergencies and the costs to treat them that make keeping the dental practitioner at arm’s length an issue. It is that lack of professional dental attention, over time, risks the health of a happy smile.
A warm smile is as much about strong, bright, straight teeth as it is about healthy gums. Lose the ability to smile a sunny smile and one loses the confidence needed to grab life’s opportunities by the proverbial horns. Loss of confidence slowly seeps in to affect other areas of life, from social isolation (even if self-inflicted) to financial difficulties due to not being able to land a job.
Apart from poor oral health, there are repercussions for overall physical health. Researchers have drawn links between dental problems such as gum disease with threats to cardiovascular health and increased exposure to lung infections. Studies have shown that bad oral bacteria do not remain trapped in the mouth, but can travel via the bloodstream to threaten vital life organs residing in the deeper parts of the body.
Fortunately for patients, modern dentistry has progressed so far as to accommodate patients’ fears and anxieties. Dental practitioners have access to a diverse array of techniques with which to ease patients’ anxieties. Of course, patients should aim to find a dental practitioner supportive of patients wanting to overcome their phobias.
