Can Therapy Cure Dentist Fear?

Posted by: Dr. Sirakian Categories: Dentistry

Therapy
For some people, fear of the dentist can be debilitating enough to prevent them from seeking the routine or even emergency care they need. As a result, these people are often in poorer oral health, as their lack of treatment snowballs into larger issues.

Now there may be a new answer. Used for years to treat depression, phobias and anxiety disorders of various kinds, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is gaining popularity in treating dental anxiety. CBT is generally a short-term therapy, lasting between 6 and 10 sessions.

A recent study in the British Dental Journal has shown that CBT can be a great tool in combatting dental anxiety. One hundred and thirty patients were initially surveyed, out of which ¾ were determined to have a true dental phobia, as defined by the Modified Dental Anxiety Scale (MDAS).

After all dental phobic patients completed their courses of CBT, 79% were able to have dental treatment without dental sedation, while 6% were able to complete treatment with sedation. The average number of therapy sessions required before receiving dental care was five.

This is big news for anyone with a crippling fear of the dentist. While overcoming your phobia may seem hopeless, there are treatment options that can change the way you view the dentist’s office. The earlier you overcome the fear, the healthier your teeth will be.

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/303270.php

Beaver Enamel: What Can We Learn?

When you think of the paradigm of good oral health, you may not think immediately of beavers. However, it’s true—these constructive little critters have good oral health, despite the fact that you don’t see beavers brushing and flossing! So what keeps their teeth in such good condition? They’ve got help right from the get-go with […]

Why Add Mouthwash to Your Oral Health Routine?

Maybe you’ve seen the multi-colored bottles of minty-fresh mouthwash in the supermarket and have been wondering what the benefits are of adding mouthwash to your routine. Mouthwash won’t be the answer to all of your oral health needs, so read on to figure out what mouthwash can and can’t do for you. When adding mouthwash […]

ADA Recommends Earlier Fluoride Distribution for Children

When you think about dental hygiene for your kids, are brushing and flossing the only things that come to mind? These two items are highly important to maintain good oral health, but recently, the American Dental Association “recommends earlier fluoride distribution for children,” meaning parents will have to put a tad more effort in caring […]

Three Foods that Keep Your Teeth Healthy

We all know that brushing daily is a must if we want clean teeth and a healthy mouth. But, have you ever wondered what are some of the natural ways you can maintain your oral health? To satisfy your curiosity, here is a list of natural foods that help keep your teeth strong and healthy. […]

Mouth Guards: The Best Way to Save Hundreds on Dental Procedures

It is estimated that 200,000 football mouth injuries are prevented each year through the use of protection. Proper protection gear not only protect you and your loved ones from injury, but also from the cost of the procedures involved in healing in the injury. When it comes to protecting your mouth during physical activity, there […]