Compared to the full spectrum of human emotion, embarrassment can seem pretty innocent or inconsequential. But this feeling can become downright debilitating when mixed with anxiety. Deep embarrassment can prevent you from doing something that needs to be done – like visiting your dentist, for instance!
If you’re afraid to show your dentist tarnished pearly whites or dread being judged in their office, keep reading. These three facts will help you feel better about your smile!
1. It’s Not Just You
As in, you won’t be the only one in the office with poor oral health or less-than-ideal hygiene habits. In fact, the other patients in the waiting room could be in a similar situation!
Think about it this way: if you go to the gym, it’s likely because you’d like to improve your fitness. It’s the same for dentistry – you’re there because you’d like to improve your oral health, which is easier to do when you have a “personal trainer” and the proper equipment.
2. Dentists Don’t Judge
Do any of these thoughts sound familiar? “Oh my gosh, that was an awful laugh, I hope no one heard it!” “Great, that was mortifying, and now they’ll think I’m a ditz.” “I don’t want my dentist to see my teeth, they’ll just judge and give me a lecture.” You can feel embarrassed when you think you’ve done something silly, but you might also feel the warmth creeping to your cheeks when you think about other people’s opinions.
Fortunately, most dentists don’t judge your teeth. Nowadays it’s understood that certain circumstances can make oral hygiene difficult to keep up with. Besides, your dentist is your personal trainer. They’re more focused on helping you get healthier!
3. You’ll Save Yourself Time and Money
If your dental problems are a bit more complicated than missing the occasional cleaning, taking care of the issue sooner than later is in your best interest. Oral conditions like cavities and gum disease don’t go away on their own, and teeth can’t repair themselves if they become chipped or cracked. The situation will only get worse, so making an appointment now will save you time and money spent on solving a more complicated problem.
Conclusion
It’s okay if you’re not proud of your oral health – you’re not the only one! – but avoiding the dentist isn’t going to solve the issue. On the contrary, your dentist can help alleviate your feelings of embarrassment by brightening your smile with a cleaning, restorations, or dental cosmetics. Just like a personal trainer at a gym, they’re there to support you, not bring you down! Trust them to take care of you, and you won’t be disappointed.
About the Author
Dr. Gary C. Nawrocki has treated many patients over his 40 years of experience as a dentist and understands that not everyone feels relaxed during dental appointments. His ultimate goal is to help people feel better about their smiles, so he promotes a judgement-free environment and offers dental sedation for nervous patients. If you’re concerned about making an appointment, give his office a call at 321-783-7514 and consider asking for a tour. Dr. Nawrocki and his team will do their best to help you feel comfortable and confident under their care!