One in four people in the UK feel nervous about seeing their dentist, according to a recent survey. Perhaps that is why about a third of patients do not schedule regular dental checkups. Why are people so afraid to see the dentists in the Cosmetic Dentistry Guide?
Granted, someone poking around in your mouth with a metal instrument is not a particularly pleasant experience. But it is necessary. Did you know, for instance, that even minor dental problems like cavities can lead to serious health issues?
It's true! If a cavity is left untreated it can spread down to the root of the tooth, which may cause an abscess or a serious infection. This infection can spread through the jaw and even to the brain. If the infection reaches the brain, it could result in a coma, even death. All from a little cavity your dentist could have filled in fifteen minutes.
Of course, death from cavity is extremely rare, but it does happen. And so does premature tooth loss, gum disease, and the aforementioned gum infection. The common thread is that most of these patients put off seeing their dentists for too long.
But we haven't answered our own question — why are grownups afraid to see the dentist? Believe it or not, the survey revealed that patients stay away from the dentist because they're embarrassed that they haven't been properly caring for their teeth. Our advice to those timorous souls is to suck it up and schedule an appointment! Trust us, dental problems only get worse the longer you wait.
