Do you feel anxious or nervous when thinking about your next dental appointment? Dental anxiety is a prevalent problem in the dental industry. It’s one of the most common phobias in the world.
According to a study, more than 36 percent of people have the condition, and another 12 percent have extreme dental anxiety before going to the dentist.
Unfortunately, dental anxiety often prevents patients from getting the care they need. If you’re among the people who experience dental fear, don’t worry—we’ve got you covered.
This guide will discuss simple techniques to help make the experience less stressful. As well, we’ll talk about some of the most common causes of dental anxiety and give you some tips on how to deal with them, too.
What Is Dental Anxiety?
Dental anxiety is a type of fear, stress, or phobia related explicitly to dental procedures and dental settings. Dental fear can make people very afraid to go to their dentists or orthodontists. It can manifest itself in numerous ways, including:
- Feeling nervous about going to the dentist
- Feeling uncomfortable in the dentist’s chair
- Having a fear of needles or injections
- Fear of loss of control
- Feeling anxious about a specific dental procedure
- Having a fear of the unknown
Some patients often experience extreme anxiety at the thought of visiting a dentist. This causes irrational fear, and patients avoid going to the dentist altogether. Such anxiety can be classified as extreme dental phobia.
What Causes Dental Anxiety?
Many different factors can contribute to dental anxiety. In some cases, it may be due to a bad experience in the past. If you go to the dentist and experience some pain or fear, your mind will likely associate that experience with all your dental visits in the future.
But for others, it may be due to a general fear of needles or pain. Some patients also feel anxious about the unknown. They may not know what to expect from their dental appointment, which can cause a great deal of fear and stress.
Some people may have experienced an anxiety attack in a dental setting before. This can be extremely traumatic and often leaves patients fearing future appointments.
It’s also important to note that other types of mental health issues may compound dental phobia and anxiety. For example, studies show that some mental health conditions, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), generalized anxiety disorder, or a previous history of neck and head trauma, could increase the chances of experiencing dental anxiety.
Additionally, other conditions like bipolar disorder, depression, and schizophrenia could increase your risk of experiencing dental anxiety.
Signs Of Dental Anxiety
Dental anxiety manifests itself in different ways for different people. Some of the most common signs include:
- Avoiding dental appointments altogether
- Sweating
- Only visit the dentist when absolutely necessary
- Feeling nauseous or sick before a dental appointment
- Feeling dizzy or lightheaded during the procedure
- Fainting before or during the procedure
- Having a racing heart or rapid breathing
- Visible signs of panic and distress, such as crying
- Completely withdrawing or using sarcasm and humor to mask distress
Some anxious people will routinely miss or avoid dental appointments. Hence, they may find it difficult to undergo dental treatment, whether simple or complex.
If you experience these symptoms, it’s essential to talk to your dentist about your anxiety. They can provide you with helpful tips and resources to make your next appointment less stressful.
How To Overcome Dental Anxiety
There are many different techniques that can help patients overcome their dental anxiety. Here are some of the most effective methods:
Talk To Your Dentist
The first step is to talk to your dentist about your concerns. Many dentists are understanding and will do everything they can to make you feel comfortable. If you’re anxious about a specific procedure, your dentist may be able to recommend an alternative.
They can also help you find useful resources and information to make your appointment less stressful, so you don’t have to worry about it.
Use Relaxation Techniques
There are many different relaxation techniques that can help ease dental anxiety. Some people find deep breathing exercises or meditation helpful. Others find it helpful to listen to calming music or use aromatherapy.
If you’re feeling anxious before your appointment, try taking a few deep breaths and focusing on relaxing your body. This will help calm your nerves and put you in a better state of mind for the appointment.
Arrive Early
When possible, try to arrive at the dentist’s office early. This will give you time to relax before your appointment. You can use this time to take a few deep breaths, relax and chat with the staff.
Arriving early for your appointment will also give you some time to prepare yourself mentally. This will help you feel more confident and relaxed when it’s time for your appointment.
Bring A Friend Or Family Member
Some people find it helpful to have a friend or family member with them during their appointment. Your loved ones can provide moral support and make the experience less stressful.
If you’re feeling anxious, try discussing your concerns with your loved one. They can help you stay calm and relaxed during the appointment.
Bring Distractions
If you’re feeling anxious, try to bring distractions with you to your appointment. This could include reading material, headphones, or an electronic device.
If you’re worried about conversations during the procedure, try wearing noise-canceling headphones to block out any sound. However, try to avoid using electronic devices that require your full attention. Distractions can take your mind off the procedure and help you relax.
Use Anxiety-Related Medications
Many different anxiety-related medications can help ease dental anxiety. These include beta-blockers, anti-anxiety medicines, and sedatives.
If you’re feeling anxious about a procedure, talk to your dentist about using anxiety-related medication. They can determine if it’s safe for you to take these medications.
Take Breaks
If you feel overwhelmed or uncomfortable at any point during your appointment, don’t be afraid to ask for a break. The dentist will understand and will likely take a short break so that you can calm down.
Set Realistic Expectations
When setting expectations for dental appointments, it’s essential to be realistic. Don’t expect to be completely calm and relaxed during the entire appointment.
There may be some procedures that are more stressful than others. However, with the help of your dentist and stress-reduction techniques, you can make the experience less scary.
Dental Anxiety Treatments
There are many different treatments for dental anxiety. Talking to your dentist about your fears will help you pinpoint individual triggers, which will help the dentist create a personalized anxiety management plan.
Some of the most common treatments include:
Behavioral Therapy
Behavioral therapy is one of the most common methods for treating dental anxiety. This type of therapy focuses on changing your thoughts and behaviors around dentists and dental appointments.
The therapist will work with you to identify your triggers and help you develop coping mechanisms. This type of therapy is often used in combination with other anxiety treatments. Check out this site to learn more about anxiety treatment for dental phobia.
Systematic Desensitization
Systematic desensitization is a treatment that gradually exposes you to your trigger. This could include sitting in the waiting room for a short period of time before your appointment or looking at pictures of dental procedures.
The therapist will work with you to slowly expose yourself to your trigger. The goal is to help you feel more comfortable around the trigger and reduce your anxiety.
Nitrous Oxide
Nitrous oxide, also known as “laughing gas,” is a sedative often used during dental procedures.
It works by relaxing the body and reducing anxiety levels. If you’re feeling anxious about your appointment, talk to your dentist about using nitrous oxide.
The dentist will administer the nitrous oxide using a mask fitted to your face. You will breathe a mixture of nitrous oxide and oxygen through the mask. The gas takes effect within a few minutes, and you will start to feel relaxed. However, you will still be awake throughout the procedure.
Conscious Sedation
Conscious sedation is a type of anesthesia that leaves you awake and aware during the procedure. This type of sedation is often used for longer or more complex procedures. If you’re feeling anxious about your appointment, ask your dentist if conscious sedation is an option.
Your dentist will give you some medication to take before the appointment. This will help you relax and feel calm throughout the procedure.
IV Sedation
IV sedation is a type of anesthesia that puts you into a deep state of relaxation. You will be asleep for the entire procedure, and you won’t remember anything afterward.
IV sedation is great for people suffering from extreme dental anxiety. However, you will need to fast for a few hours before the procedure.
General Anesthesia
General anesthesia is a type of anesthesia that puts you into a deep sleep. You won’t remember anything afterward. Dental treatment under general anesthesia is often carried out by an anesthetist or a dentist in a hospital setting.
Because general anesthesia involves putting the patient into a deep sleep, you may experience some side effects after your procedure. The most common side effects include a long recovery time and nausea.
While general anesthesia is a good option for people going through extensive dental procedures, it will not help you cope with dental anxiety.
However, a general anesthetic works best when applied with other therapies. This way, the total length of the anesthetic process is kept short for the most difficult procedures to do.
Who Is Affected By Dental Anxiety?
Dental anxiety is a common problem that affects people of all ages. However, it’s more common in children and adults under 35. This is especially true for children who have had a negative experience at the dentist.
If you notice that your child has dental anxiety, you should be careful how you deal with the situation. You need to care for and support them throughout their appointment. If you handle the situation well, they will slowly overcome their fear.
Women are also more likely to experience dental anxiety than men. Experts estimate that 4.6 percent of women and 2.7 percent of men experience extreme dental phobia. Additionally, people with previous traumatic dental experiences are more likely to experience dental anxiety.
How To Find The Right Dentist For You
If you’re anxious about your dental appointments, it’s crucial to find a sympathetic dentist who understands your situation. You need someone who will take the time to listen to your concerns and help you feel comfortable during the appointment. This will make it easier to cope with future dental visits.
When looking for a dentist, ask friends or family members for referrals. Once you’ve found a few dentists, make an appointment to meet with them. During this meeting, ask questions about their practice and how they handle anxious patients.
It’s also important to tour the office and meet the staff. This will give you a feel for the practice and whether or not it’s right for you.
It’s critical to be honest about why you’re scared of going to the dentist so they can better help you relax. The right dentist for you will take your anxiety seriously while also being considerate of your needs.
Tips To Stay Calm During Dental Visits
Do you have bad panic attacks when visiting your dentist? Whether you’re already working with your dentist to overcome your fears or not, it’s best to take proactive steps to calm yourself down during dental visits.
The following tips can help you avoid anxiety attacks and calm yourself down:
- Schedule an appointment for a less busy time, such as early in the morning
- When at the dentist, take deep breaths and try to relax your mind
- Think of your dentist as a friend; they are always there for you
- Think about things that make you happy to distract your mind
When there are fewer people at the dentist’s office, there will be fewer tools making noises that could trigger your anxiety. Furthermore, the later you go to the dentist, the more time you will have for your fears to build up in anticipation.
Take Control Of Your Dental Anxiety Today
Your dental health is an essential part of your overall body health. Unfortunately, dental anxiety may prevent you from getting the treatment you need to stay healthy. Fortunately, our guide above will help you cope with your phobia and overcome it.
While it may take some time and a lot of effort, it’s possible to get to the point where your dental anxiety will not prevent you from getting the dental treatment you need.
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