If you get anxious about dental appointments, you’re not alone! An estimated 36% of people in the United States have a fear of oral treatments, making it a relatively common issue. Unfortunately, those who are overly worried might avoid getting the care they need to preserve their teeth. This can lead to more complicated and complex treatments down the road to avert serious problems. Instead, keep reading to learn about 3 reasons why people sidestep the dentist and why you should set those troubles aside.
Reason #1: Cost
One of the main reasons folks steer clear of the dentist is the assumption that they cannot afford it. However, procrastinating your appointment now could mean a budget disaster down the road. You should visit your dentist every 6 months for a checkup and professional cleaning because it gives them the chance to catch and treat any problem areas.
Oral issues don’t heal themselves and only progress further, meaning that if you have some enamel erosion now, you could develop a cavity or worse if you don’t do anything about it, for example. Fortunately, preventative care is often covered in dental insurance plans, so you don’t have to break the bank to keep your mouth healthy.
Reason #2: Consistent Oral Hygiene
People are prone to skipping the dentist if they think there’s nothing wrong with their teeth. After all, if you regularly brush and floss them twice every day, you’ll be fine, right? Unfortunately, that’s not always the case. Even with a diligent dental hygiene routine, it’s possible to have gum disease or cavities between your pearly whites or under the gumline and not be aware of it.
Your dentist has the specialized instruments and expertise to spot early signs of issues that might otherwise be missed. They’ll work with you to clear them up early so you can leave their office with 100% certainty that your mouth is as healthy as can be.
Reason #3: Embarrassment
While some people avoid the dentist because they think their smiles are already perfect, others neglect appointments because they’re embarrassed about the current state of their smile. They tend to feel ashamed about not taking care of their teeth better and worry about what their dentist might think or say about them.
In general, though, your dentist is more concerned with improving your well-being than passing judgment. Besides, wouldn’t it be better to go in now and deal with the damage than to put it off and make it worse?
As you can see, skipping dental appointments only puts you at further risk of developing more serious issues. Allow the benefits of seeing your dentist to outweigh your fear and you’ll keep your grin healthy all year!
About the Practice
At Rauchberg Dental Group, you and the whole family benefit from a team of dentists who provide a full range of services under one roof. With general dentists, an orthodontist, and a periodontist available, there’s no problem they can’t handle. They understand that patients have unique dental needs and concerns and work together to provide custom-tailored treatments just for you. You’re welcome to request an appointment on the website or by calling (973) 718-9887.