A dentist visit is a routine aspect of oral care. However, as human beings, this does not imply that they can even dream of sitting in a dental chair without being severely terrified.
This thing is commonly known as dentophobia or dental anxiety, and it is common in millions of people. The fear of dentists can keep people away from going for the treatment they require.
You are not the only one to be scared of the dentist when you need one. Keep reading, we will find out why dental anxiety occurs, why dentophobia occurs and most importantly, how to overcome it so that you can have a healthier, happier smile.
What Is Fear of Dentist (Dentophobia)?
Dentist phobia, or the fear of dentists, is a severe fear of dentists or dental treatment. Though a slight nervousness just before a visit is the norm, extreme dental phobia will even make individuals avoid treatment for years, even when they have pain or their oral health requires immediate attention.
Some of them state that they are afraid to visit a dentist even for a regular check-up. Some even have panic attacks when exposed to dental instruments. The way to overcome this fear is to first know the basis of it.
What Causes Dental Anxiety?
If you are afraid to go to dentist this may be caused by a number of factors. It is not one thing to the majority of the people, but rather a mixture of earlier experiences, psychological stimuli, and even social factors.
Past Negative Experiences
Traumatic experience with the dentist in the past is the most prevalent cause of dentist phobia. In case a person had some serious pain, complications, or felt abused, such a memory can cause a long-run fear.
Fear of Pain
A lot of individuals relate dental operations to pain. Although the current understanding of dentistry practice incorporates the advanced treatment of pain, the fear of pain is an effective reason why patients are reluctant to seek treatment.
Feel of Helplessness
Spending time in a dental chair is a common experience, where you are lying down, with no ability to talk clearly, and being inside your own mouth as a dentist operates. This undress may increase anxiety in the dentist.
Poor Dental Hygiene
There are individuals who will not go to the dentist as they are embarrassed by the state of their teeth or gums. This humiliation is a source of the cycle of avoidance, which compounds problems.
Fear of Dental Equipment
The sound of the drill, the smell of antiseptic or even a sight of needles may cause extreme dental phobia. These sensual stimuli are typical of individuals who claim to fear visiting the dentist.
Influence from Others
The fear of negative experiences with dentists can occur when you hear about them in your circle, relatives, or in the media, even when you have not gone through such a bad experience.
Dentophobic Signs and Symptoms
Dentophobia may have various effects upon people but common effects are:
- When people think about a visit to the dentist, their heart beats faster or they sweat.
- Difficulty in sleeping prior to the visit.
- Too afraid of the dentist and requires care.
- The dental office and panic attacks.
- Avoiding appointments in case of mild pain.
When you see these signs in yourself, then you might be having dental anxiety or a dentist phobia.
How Dentophobia Impacts Oral Health
Fear of dentists can be very dangerous. Failure to attend routine checkups will enable cavities, gum disease and any other dental issue to deteriorate. Those individuals who experience high levels of dental phobia might require more complex and expensive treatments by the time they refer to a dentist.
Hence, the relationship between anxiety and dentist can have bad effects on your overall oral health.
How Can I Get Over My Fear of the Dentist? Tried and Tested Tips
In case you’re scared of dentist but need treatment, then here is the good news: there are measures that can help you overcome it.
Talk to Your Dentist
Open communication is key. Get your dentist to be aware of the fears. There are numerous clinics that focus on the treatment of patients with dentophobia, and they can change their approach to make you feel safe and comfortable.
Try Relaxation Technique
Anxiety, even at the dentist, can be decreased by deep breathing, meditation, or listening to soothing music. The visit can become less stressful- one can practice relaxation before and throughout your visit.
Bring a Companion
With a friend or family member whom you trust, you will feel a little bit safer when you feel too scared to see the dentist.
Sedation Inquiry
In the case of patients who are extremely phobic of dentists, the treatment can be much less frightening with the help of sedation (including nitrous oxide or oral sedatives).
Conclusion
Fear of the dentist is not as rare as it may seem, and it does have a direct impact on your oral health. However, knowing what causes dental anxiety and how to overcome it, you will be able to make the first step toward healthy teeth and a bright smile.
In case you are avoiding visits to the dentist due to fear, but you want the services, please remember that you are not alone. Moreover, there are caring dentists out there who will take good care of you.
At Dr. Kamila dental clinic, the professional team of dentists who specifically deal with Houston New Patient Exam & Cleaning, help patients to stay calm before and during the procedure. Additionally, the patients are assisted with their own treatment plan and a soft approach aimed at calming their fear.
Fear of dentists should not hinder you from having a healthy smile!
FAQs About Dentophobia
Can Past Bad Dental Experiences Cause Dentophobia?
Yes. One of the most prevalent causes of dentophobia is traumatic or painful visits to the dental clinic in the past.
How Common is Dental Anxiety or Dentophobia?
Quite widespread research indicates that as many as 36% of human beings feel dental phobia, and about 12% are severely dentophobic.
Is Dental Phobia Linked to Other Anxiety Disorders?
Indeed, dental phobia is more common among persons with generalized anxiety, PTSD or panic disorders.
Is Dentophobia the Same as Dental Anxiety?
They are associated, yet not similar. Dental anxiety is mild to moderate nervousness, whereas dentophobia is a more severe, debilitating fear.
Do Certain Dental Tools or Sounds Trigger Fear?
Yes. Many patients are stimulated by the sound of the drill, the sight of needles or the smell of antiseptic.
Can Fear of Pain Cause Dentophobia?
Absolutely. Long-term dentophobia can be the result of the expectation of pain in spite of the treatment being painless.
