4 Reasons Why People Hesitate to Visit the Dentist

You’ve heard it countless times: visit your dentist every six months for a checkup. Sadly, many people do not follow this advice for a variety of reasons. This means that they often miss out entirely on the preventive dentistry in Accra that could help them avoid cavities and gum disease altogether. Below are 4 of the most common reasons why people don’t go to the dentist – and why you shouldn’t let them stop you from getting your smile the care it deserves.

1. Fear

Simply put, many people don’t visit the dentist because they’re afraid or anxious. It might be due to a traumatic experience early in life, or it could just come from feeling uncomfortable around the sharp objects you’ll find at a dental practice. Many dentists are aware of how common dental fears and anxieties are, and they take multiple steps to help their patients feel as comfortable as possible. For example, they may use a device called The Wand to quickly numb your mouth before your treatment so that you don’t feel any discomfort. Talk to your dentist to see how they can help you overcome your dental fear in Accra.

2. Affordability

When you don’t have insurance, the idea of having to pay for two dental checkups per year entirely out of pocket is not a fun one. Some people simply stay home because they’re not sure that dental care can fit into their budget. Fortunately, many practices offer a number of ways to make their services more affordable, such as in-house membership plans and third-party financing. You can call your dental practice to see what financial options they have that you can take advantage of.

3. No Symptoms

Some people don’t visit the dentist because they don’t think they have to. They aren’t suffering any dental pain, there doesn’t seem to be anything wrong with their teeth, and their gums look normal at a glance, so they assume that means that their smile is perfectly fine. However, even if you don’t think you “need” dental care, you should still attend regular checkups anyway. This is because some dental problems start off very small and don’t have any obvious symptoms; it is much easier to treat these issues while they’re still in their early stages instead of dealing with them after they’ve turned into dangerous dental emergencies.

4. Shame

If you haven’t been to the dentist in a long time and don’t do a very good job of taking care of your teeth, you may simply be too embarrassed to visit the dentist. You may be worried about being judged for bad breath or a less-than-stellar smile. But there’s no need to be embarrassed; a trustworthy dental team will always treat you with understanding and empathy. Any recommendations they give for treatment will be judgment-free and aimed solely at restoring oral health.

Are there any other concerns that are making you hesitate to set up a dental appointment? Talk to a dentist near you and let them know. Whatever your reasons for avoiding dental care, you can overcome them so that your smile can get the protection against cavities and gum disease that it deserves.

About the Practice

At Bethel Dental, our team does everything they can to make you feel welcome, relaxed, and informed during your visit. We utilize the latest dental technology, including The Wand, to keep our patients comfortable, and we always treat everyone who walks into our office with respect, empathy, and understanding. If you would like to schedule an appointment with us, visit our website.