These are the most frequent excuses given by people for not going to the dentist.
Trying to avoid going to the dentist? You are not by yourself! According to studies, only 65% of Americans really visit the dentist, which means that 35% of Americans never do. But what’s holding them back? Today, we’ll discuss the top 5 reasons why individuals fear going to the dentist, as well as the top 5 reasons why, if you’re one of them, you should start thinking differently.
Five reasons why people stay away from the dentist
The Price
Let’s face it, going to the dentist is not a cheap endeavour. This is one of the primary reasons people who don’t have dental insurance avoid getting dental care. The average dentist appointment can cost between $75 and $200, and that’s just for basic care, depending on where you live. It’s not unexpected that dental charges put off a lot of people because you’re looking at a lot more money on top if you need fillings, teeth whitening, extractions, or other advanced forms of dental care.
2. Negative encounters
It’s typical to have a negative dental experience because not all dentists are created equally. Dental anxiety may result from a prior unpleasant or painful dental experience. Experiences like these are frequently sufficient to deter people from visiting the dentist for years to come, whether it be a rough cleaning, a painful filling, or simply an unfriendly staff.
3. Concern with dental work
Many people are afraid of seeing the dentist because they worry about hearing unpleasant news. Will the dentist inform them they have a lot of cavities in their mouths? Are their gums diseased? Will they require a tooth extraction? No one wants to hear bad news, especially when it implies repairs and repairs need the use of frightening dental tools. There are many things that can go wrong in your mouth. Therefore, most people choose to avoid their concerns rather than confront them.
4. Self-consciousness
The act of someone staring directly into your mouth is undoubtedly one of the most intrusive things you can do. Daily invasions of privacy by dentists might be embarrassing for some people. Even going to the dentist can cause embarrassment for many people, but problems with oral hygiene like foul breath or drooping teeth can make matters worse.
5. A Time Issue
We’re occupied. The last thing we want to do in our spare time is go to the dentist. We have kids, we have jobs, we have pets, we have to clean our house, acquire groceries, take a shower, and find time to rest. Period.
5 Arguments Against the Validity of These Arguments
Now that we’ve established that you avoid going to the dentist, it is likely due to one of the reasons mentioned above. But are any of these justifications for skipping the dentist actually valid? No, we believe. This is why:
In fact, dental hygiene reduces costs.
Although frequent dental visits initially cost money, they end up saving you money over time. How? Because frequent checks can help identify minor dental issues before they develop into major issues that result in higher dental bills.
Additionally, going to the dentist can reduce the need for additional medical services. How? Because maintaining good dental hygiene is crucial to your overall health. Numerous conditions and diseases, such as diabetes, heart disease, and cancer, have been related to poor dental hygiene. In exchange, routine dental care can lower the cost of other medical services as well.
2. Not every dentist is created equally.
Yes. Unfortunately, some dentists are awful. Some people are irresponsible, some are rough, and some are just plain rude. However, it doesn’t follow that all dentists will be as horrible as the one you had a poor encounter with. There are tens of thousands of dentists to select from, and most of them will treat your teeth and gums gently, respect you, and manage your worries compassionately. Don’t let one negative experience put your dental health at danger.
3. Dental work isn’t all that frightening
Yes, at one point dental work was quite awful. After all, it would be horrifying for anyone to insert enormous metal devices into their mouth. But in the past 20 years, dental care has advanced significantly. With the development of gentler and less invasive drills, the replacement of several intimidating tools with lasers, and other innovations, dental work is now less intimidating. Dental sedation is another option for those who are still afraid because it might lessen their fear of getting dental work done.
4. You have nothing to be ashamed about.
Although having poor breath can be unpleasant, our dentist doesn’t even notice it. Every day, dentists work with dozens of patients, and they have seen it all. Your breath smells? All five patients who came before you had the same condition. Your tooth is missing? The day before you, another person just came in with a missing tooth. Gingivitis? The prevalence of that is greater than 50%. Therefore, if you’re feeling ashamed, simply keep in mind that you’re not alone and that your dentist doesn’t give a damn – they’ve seen it all before and are only trying to help you; they don’t pass judgement.
5. It’s Significant
We already know how important oral health is to overall health. Yes, we do recognise your hectic schedule, but you still need to make time for your oral health. If you don’t intentionally make time, ultimately you’ll feel agony that makes you do it.
Stop making excuses for your dental health and start preventing issues before they happen. Discuss your worries with a dentist right away, and allow them assist you in finding solutions.
Call our office and we’ll schedule an appointment for you if you require a dental checkup that has been overdue. 📲(956) 585–2000