If you fear going to a dentist, you aren’t alone.
A simple dental visit for a painless cleaning session or checkup can trigger anxiety and fear in some people. These emotions then lead to delayed dental treatment, putting people at risk of gum disease, tooth decay, or oral cancer that need easily-avoidable, complicated, and costly treatment.
Dental anxiety and dental phobia differ in severity. Dental anxiety refers to uncertainty and is usually triggered by drills, needles, dental chairs, or the dental setup in general. You may dislike the typical dental sounds during procedures but put up with them anyway. It’s when anxiety becomes irrational to the point of totally avoiding the dentist that it becomes a dental phobia, otherwise known as dentophobia.
A dental phobia is a serious anxiety disorder that can interfere with dental upkeep. People suffering from a dental phobia may only seek dental help when suffering from unbearably extreme pain.
Though difficult, there are ways to overcome it. Admitting you have a dental phobia is the first step.
Why Do You Fear the Dentist?
Here are the possible causes of dental phobia:
- Childhood or pain-related trauma
- Oral privacy
- Pre-existing anxiety or stress-related disorder
- Claustrophobia
- Agoraphobia
- Fear of not being able to escape
- Trust issues
Dentophobia is composed of several potential fears that affected individuals can experience:
- Fear of the Dentist
- Fear of Pain
- Fear of Numbness
- Fear of Smells and Sounds
- Fear of Needles
Debunking Common Myths on Dental Phobia
- All dental procedures are long. This is not always the case. How long the procedure will take depends on the severity of the issue. Some last shorter than an hour.
- All dental procedures and techniques are painful. Technology has evolved throughout the years, and dental techniques today are minimally invasive. Dentists also have ways for you to only feel a little to no pain at all. Anesthetics also help.
- The dentist will be shocked at how your mouth looks. Dentists have seen a lifetime’s worth of poorly-maintained mouths and are trained to help you with utmost professionalism. They could not care less about how your mouth looks.
- Dental anxiety and dental phobia are not a dentist’s concern. They are, in fact, a dental concern. Dentists know the consequences to your oral health when you let your fear take over. Dentists are trained to help you deal with them.
- You cannot do anything about your dental phobia. There are several ways and techniques to cope that your dentist can provide.
How Do You Cope With Dental Phobia?
Speak up
It is crucial to inform your dentist of any anxiety as they know the best dental phobia treatment to prescribe for your specific needs. Share all your feelings and thoughts about the treatment.
- Relay your pain tolerance, even with local anesthesia. Inform your dentist before the pain starts, so they will know how to make you comfortable.
- Ask questions about everything you want to know regarding the procedure. Knowing what will happen helps lessen the fear.
- Give a signal when you need a break from the check-up or procedure.
- Ask your dentist if the clinic has available tools that could put you at ease, such as aromatherapy, warm blankets, or guided imagery.
Help Yourself
A decision to see a dentist may not come easy when the fear becomes paralyzing. Do these to distract yourself:
- Bring a family member or friend. Having someone who can speak up for you if you can’t helps you stay calm.
- Listen to music. Put your headphones on, and immerse yourself in your favorite song or audiobook.
- Busy your hands with a stress ball.
- Silently count your breaths, and perform deep breathing exercises.
Medication or Sedation Dentistry
For those suffering from an extreme dental phobia, your dentist may use the following:
- Nitrous Oxide or Laughing Gas: Administered through a face mask to relax patients without knocking them out.
- Oral Anxiolytic Tablets: Take Temazepam, a common anxiety-reducing oral medication, at least an hour before the procedure. Bring a companion to accompany you to and from the clinic to help with travel.
- IV Sedation: Triggers a calming sensation that may lead to sleep and will require movement aid post-treatment. Have a companion.
- General Anesthesia: Induces total sleep and may have a longer period of recovery.
A regular dental checkup is essential — regardless of age. Avoiding the dentist will lead to worse complications in both your mouth and body.
If you are experiencing dental phobia but want to take care of your oral health, call us at Advanced Dental Group.
We are affiliated with the best dentists in your area and will take care of your oral health, worry-free. Our dentists know how to deal with every type of client, and you are no exception. We believe that the best dentists know how to deal with dental phobia, and we can connect you to them today. Contact us, and learn about all the ways we can help you.
