Dental health is something essential that every human takes care of as it's directly connected to their nutritional activities. If you are suffering from bad dental health, you might not be able to eat and drink the proper and right kind of foods and drinks that keeps you healthy, motivated, and energetic. But when it comes to dental health and its treatment, it has been observed that around 25-30% of people worldwide suffer from dental treatment phobia, or what we can say is dental treatment anxiety.
Perhaps you wouldn't describe going to the dentist as "fun." Having someone's hands and loud instruments in your mouth is frequently uncomfortable. Suctioning and drilling are rarely enjoyable activities. The hefty protective bib is there to protect you from radiation during x-rays, the icy water spray, chapped lips, the sharp hook used to scrape tartar from your teeth, and more.
In this article, we are going to discuss dental anxiety, coping mechanisms, possible causes, and other topics. But, before we discuss it further let’s understand what dental anxiety is.
What is Dental Anxiety?
Dental anxiety is an emotional or physical response to a perceived risk that a person identifies with going to the dentist. It is a typical response. In a 2017 study, researchers discovered that 19% of more than 300 individuals experienced severe dental anxiety. Additionally, they agreed that earlier research had revealed a 50–80% general population prevalence.
Dental anxiety can be triggered by basic office supplies like drills or needles or even just the idea of the pain they are going to experience at the dentist's office in general.
A person with dental anxiety may cancel appointments or avoid coming to the dentist altogether, which may negatively affect their oral health and, by extension, their general health.
Difference Between Dental Anxiety and Dental Fear or Phobia
Dental phobia or fear are not the same things as dental anxiety. However, it can be challenging to pinpoint precisely which conditions researchers are referring to as many studies use fear and anxiety interchangeably. Dental anxiety is just a worried state of mind of a person before he/she visits the dentist about what he/she will be diagnosed with and how painful treatment will be.
Dental fear has a known, particular etiology. For instance, a person who suffers from dental fear can pinpoint their specific fears, such as the drill or having needles inserted into their mouth. Whereas Dental phobia is a severe, enduring, and irrational fear or panic associated with seeing the dentist.
Common Causes of Dental Anxiety
1. Pain
Many people have the misconception that getting dental care would always be painful. Anyone would feel frightened at the notion of suffering! Thankfully, dental procedures and treatments today are gentler, less invasive, and more comfortable than they used to be. Not to mention, a professional dentist would take precautions to minimise your discomfort during the procedure.
2. Fear of Dental Tools and Machines
During the research, it has been found that around 30% of people with dental anxiety are experiencing it because of the fear of the dental tools and machines in dental offices. Tools like drills and needles can hurt them in their mouth and looking at them they can feel the pain before the treatment gets started.
3. Fear of Drill Machine Noise
Sometimes people are controlling their fear by closing their eyes or avoiding to have a look at the drill machine or some of them are brave enough to face the tools like drills but when they are on the dental seat and the drill machine starts, the noise makes them anxious. Such people are facing anxiety when they hear the drill machine noise.
4. Poor Experience in past with Dentist
We hate to tell it, but some dentists don't put in the time and effort necessary to give patients the greatest possible experience. If you've ever had a visit to a dentist like this, you could feel traumatized by the experience. These kinds of events can leave you wary, whether it was being forced into a therapy you didn't want or not feeling welcome.
5. Feeling Helpless or Alone
Feelings akin to claustrophobia can be brought on by being unable to communicate or being confined to a chair and not being able to move freely, leading to vulnerability.
6. Feeling Ashamed about your Oral Health
Years may have passed since your last cleaning. Because of your damaged oral health or your fear of what the dentist could say, you may have put off getting treatment.
7. Concern over Cost
The cost of dental work may be high, particularly if your insurance does not cover it. Even so, scheduling regular visits with your dentist helps avoid the need for subsequent, more expensive treatments. However, if a filling or crown is required, inquire about your choices with the office manager.
Symptoms of Dental Anxiety
Dental anxiety symptoms can differ from person to person. In other words, one person's reaction to anything could be very different from another person's.
According to experts, the fight, flight, or freeze response is intimately related to the signs and symptoms of dental anxiety. An individual may suffer the following signs of dental anxiety:
- Elevated or accelerated heart rate
- Sweating
- Indications of anxiety or discomfort
- Reduction in blood pressure
- Fainting
- Retreat from the circumstance, which may be masked by humor or hostility
Impairments of Dental Anxiety
It's never a good idea to forget to make routine appointments, no matter how dreadful going to the dentist might seem. Poor oral hygiene can result in a number of unpleasant issues. Following are some instances of what can occur if you avoid the dentist:
- Poor breath
- Cavities
- Tartar and plaque
- Tooth decay
- Gum illness
- Decayed teeth
- Stained teeth
10 Tips to Overcome Dental Anxiety
Are you beginning to see why you need to overcome your dental phobia? If so, the following dentist anxiety strategies will have you sitting in the dental chair in no time.
1. Review and Choose the Best Local Dentists in your Area
Consult your friends and family for advice, especially those who may have faced their anxieties in the past and overcame them. Read evaluations on their work. You might even narrow your search to dentist offices with a strong grasp of handling dental anxiety. Finding a humorous dentist is not harmful.
2. Bring A Reliable Companion With You
Patients with dental phobias can benefit from peer encouragement when visiting the dentist. It may be a member of the family, a close friend, or a gym partner. Find a trusted friend or family member who can assist the patient relax throughout the session.
3. Utilize Tranquilisers And Medicines
Spend some time setting the correct attitude before your visit. Stretching, meditation and deep controlled breathing are activities that many individuals find beneficial. If you have severe anxiety, you might want to phone your dentist and find out what sedative options could be best for you to further calm down.
4. Be Honest and Talk about your Anxiety with a Dentist
Most dentists, including those at Specialized Dentistry of New Jersey, sincerely hope you will get the treatment you require. You are first brought into the office. Mention your anxiety while making the appointment, and ask the dentist if you can meet with him or her only to speak. This will provide you with a lot of insight into how your dentist will handle your demands. Find a dentist who will listen to you without passing judgment and who is interested in helping you get over your phobia of getting your teeth cleaned.
5. Never Hesitate To Ask Questions
It’s always better to stay informed and know more. Sometimes the anxiety associated with the unknown is reduced by knowing what will happen. Ask all the doubts you have about the procedure, pain, cost or whatever bothers you.
6. Become Familiar With The Tools
It only takes one tray of strange-looking, piercing metal implements to make you want to flee. Your dentist could give you some "meet and greet" time with the equipment to help lessen your anxiety. As the person explains what each one performs, ask if you can hold them. This might make them seem less menacing and frightening.
7. Get Yourself Distracted
When you're anxious, it may seem impossible to divert your attention from the exam, but there are some things that can do just that. Put on headphones. Bring headphones so you may listen to your favorite music or audiobook if the sound of the drill disturbs you. Even some dental offices have televisions or DVD players. Squeeze a stress ball or play with a small handheld device, such as a fidget spinner, to keep your hands busy. Think of your favorite location and picture yourself lounging in a peaceful garden or beach.
8. Enjoy Small Breaks in between Treatment
A professional dentist will give you breaks so you can become used to the procedure. You should also feel free to request a break whenever you need to gather your thoughts.
9. Be On Time For Your Appointment
You can become agitated if you rush to make it on time to your appointment. Avoid overly stressing the experience. To allow yourself enough time to take it slowly, plan to come extra early. Arrive early enough to enjoy a few extra minutes in the lobby, chatting with the employees at the front desk, asking questions, or just unwinding if it would help.
10. Identify Cheaper Options or Clear Up Cost Doubts
Ask the office manager about several ways to pay. Most businesses will work with you to come up with a convenient payment plan. Additionally, look for no-cost or inexpensive clinics nearby.
Heal your Dental Anxiety at a Local Dental Clinic Near You..!!
A lot of people experience dental anxiety. Many people continue to visit the dentist regularly and receive quality dental treatment without being affected by it. An individual with dental anxiety can reduce their fear by making simple changes. These could involve having discussions with the dentist, finding distractions, or figuring out how to unwind before going to the dentist.
Would you like to know more about overcoming dental phobias? Make an appointment with one of our dentists right away. Nobody should feel ashamed about having these anxieties because we have years of experience helping individuals overcome their aversion.
Call us at (03) 5881 3468 to make an appointment at the nearest Local Dental Clinic or Schedule an Appointment Now.
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