Expert answers
We know how daunting dental treatment can be. Our Dental Phobia certified experts are here to help ease your mind before treatment by answering your questions.
I had a bad experience as a child and cannot control my fear of dentists after 20 years, would hypnosis help?
Hi
I had a traumatic experience at the age of 10 when I had to have 2 crowns on my front 2 teeth as I had fallen over and broken them. I went through alot of drilling with not alot of pain relief.
I then had them replaced at age 15 and last year age 29, the last time I had valium to help me get through it but it did not seem to help me.
Everytime I walk into the dentist I break down into tears, I have absolutely no control over this, it doesn’t matter if I am only going for a check-up, hygenist or even just to chat to the dentist.(It even happens just thinking about going) It has been 20 years now and I have tried several dentists, I have been going regularly for the past 2 years to try and overcome my issues but it is not working, I am so embarrassed to go, I’ve got hygenist on Friday and already thinking about cancelling my appointment, they are all really nice to me at the practise so I don’t think my issue is the dentist himself… just everything else about the place.
Do you think hypnosis would help??
Hello
it seems that there are some psychological issues for you that go deeper than actually attending the dentist , but relating to past trauma .
You could try Hypnosis , but perhaps CBT might be better .
You could ask your gp for a referral to a Clinical Psychologist for this .
I have a patient who has a similar problem so its not unheard of for this to develop .
Hope you can get some help