One of the main causes of dental phobia is a fear of needles. Needles are commonly used in dental procedures as a means of administering anaesthesia to prevent you from feeling discomfort, but the mere thought of having an injection in the mouth can make many patients feel extremely anxious. If you have a needle phobia, we are here to help.

Coping with a needle phobia

One of the most common reasons people suffer from needle phobia is a fear of pain, which may result from negative experiences in the past. If you get anxious when you need an injection, there are various techniques and tips that can help, including deep breathing exercises, distraction techniques (for example watching a film or talking to somebody while you have your injection) and using modern painless techniques.

About painless injections

Painless injections were developed to help people affected by needle phobia and ensure that the process is smoother and less painful. The most common cause of painful injections is poor control of the flow of the fluid, which may mean that there is a sudden surge or that fluid flows too quickly. With painless injections, such as The Wand, the flow of fluid is controlled by a computer and this means that there is no risk of pain. The Wand is a needle, which looks similar to a standard biro pen; it is linked to a small computerised device, which regulates the quantity of speed of delivery of the anaesthetic. The injection not only prevents pain by controlling the flow of the fluid; it also looks a lot less daunting and threatening.

If you suffer with anxiety when going to the dentist as a result of needle phobia, don’t hesitate to speak to your dentist about this problem; they can help to ease your worries and talk you through some of the tricks they can use to help you feel more comfortable and make sure you don’t suffer any pain when you need an injection.