Top Reasons People Avoid Dental Care

Far too many people avoid, delay or definitively put off needed dental care examinations and services. The reasons they do may surprise you.

1) No dental insurance. Some actually believe that the only way they can get dental services is if they have dental insurance. The use of health insurance has led many to believe that care is only affordable if you have insurance.

2) Fear, anxiety or panic attacks. This is a reality for many people who worry excessively, become anxious over the unknown, have difficulty over situations they cannot control, or who have real phobias that leave them feeling overwhelmed and paralyzed by fear of having a panic attack.

3) Affordability. Most people fear getting hit with a huge dental bill that they cannot afford. Many have not explored the many options available.

4) Shared "horror" stories. Friends or relatives can sometimes inadvertently scare with stories they've heard.

5) Lack of information. Lack of information, or having the wrong information, certainly influences many. The Internet can be an excellent source of information, but there is a lot of false information as well. And, while it may be easy to read up on a condition with symptoms that match yours, it does not necessarily mean you have it. It is important to get a professional evaluation.

6) Lack of Time. Something that affects almost everyone, it's often hard to find yourself willing to take time for a dental visit when reasons 1-5 are giving you excuses good enough on their own. It's easy to worry about missing time from work, or needing to shuffle after-school activities, etc.

Studies show the devastating consequences of avoiding dental care. Rather than suffer with an ever-worsening condition, chronic pain, loss of teeth and even serious health consequences, consider getting the answers you need to get appropriate care from a qualified, experienced dentist in your area. There are professionals who can help.