Phunny Phobias
If you met someone who was afraid of paper or wax statues, wouldn't you tell them to stop being so ridiculous and get over it? Every Monday, Null editor Hayley hand-picks another bizarre phobia and tries to work out whether it's real or rubbish.
This week:
Odontophobia: fear of dentists/teeth
What's so scary about it?
Fear of dentists I can understand. It's well known that many of us get the jitters about having our teeth checked out. I mean, why would you ever want to visit someone who wants to put a drill in your mouth? But fear of teeth? Man, that's got to be awkward. "Hi, nice to meet you... No, PLEASE DON'T SMILE!"
What do the scientists say about it?
There's a weath of information on odontophobia, mostly referring to the fear of dentists rather than teeth. According to the research, the cure, unquestionably, seems to be going to see your dentist more often. Darn.
Hayley says:
"I find the idea of someone being afraid of teeth rather implausible, as we all own a set and they're rather essential to our wellbeing. (Unless you're going to take all your meals through a straw.) However, the evidence for fear of dentists seems overwhelming. Whether I would tell an odontophobic to stop moaning and start acting like an adult is quite another matter. Real."
So far: Real 7 Rubbish 6
Find phunny phobias from other weeks here.
Null's other regular features:
Tuesday: Nutty Nomenclature
Wednesday: Doctor Doctor
Thursday: Peculiar Periodicals
Friday: End of week timewasters
Erratically: The World in Brief
Image: Zeeshan Qureshi
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