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Are you afraid of going to the dentist? If so, you are far from alone. People often list going to the dentist as one of their top fears. As a matter of fact, some people fear going to the dentist so much that they skip the procedure altogether and neglect their dental care. This can result in you losing teeth at an early age.

While it is important to brush your teeth regularly, it is also important to have annual dental check ups. The dentist can not only spot a cavity, but also potential problem such as oral cancers. There have been cases where a dental checkup has saved a person's life because the dentist spotted oral cancer before it had a chance to grow.

You should not be afraid of going to the dentist, but if you do, you are not alone. Some of the reasons why people are afraid of going to the dentist include the following:

Bad past experience

If you have had a bad past experience at the dentist, it is no small wonder that you are now afraid of going to the dentist. A bad past experience can be anything from having a tooth pulled without the proper anesthesia to just an insensitive dentist. Most dentists today are prepared to combat a bad past experience with a positive experience. Dentists today understand how important it is to make their patient relax. If you have had a bad past experience with a dentist, relax. Chalk it up to a bad experience and give another dentist a chance.

Sensitive teeth

If you have sensitive teeth, you do not want anyone touching them or using instruments on them. But you need dental care just the same. One of the ways to deal with sensitive teeth is through sedation dentistry. This is a method where the patient is put into what is known as a 'twilight sleep.' You are not completely under, but you do not feel any pain nor do you have any fear. Everything just seems wonderful to you. Sedation dentistry is the best option for anyone with sensitive teeth.

Other attitudes

If you are taking your child to the dentist and you are afraid of the dentist, your child will pick up on that fear. Many children are afraid of dentists because their parents are also afraid of the dentist. You should be very positive when taking your child to the dentist for the first time so that he or she does not develop a fear of the dentist.

Whether you have had a bad dental experience in the past, have had friends or parents afraid of the dentist or just have sensitive teeth, you still should visit the dentist on an annual basis. And if you are like most people, you are eventually going to need some work done. It is best to take care of your teeth with preventative medicine, such as seeing a dentist on a regular basis and heading off any problems before they begin, then to try to fix the problems later. You only get one set of teeth - look after them.