Fear of the Dentist
Fear of visiting the dentist affects up to nearly a quarter of people worldwide.
The Difference Between Anxiety and Fear
When it comes to anxiety and fear, the difference is a matter of degree. Anxiety is an emotion characterized by feelings of tension, worried thoughts and physical changes like increased blood pressure. But phobia is a persistent, excessive fear of an object, person, animal, activity or situation. A person that feels nervous about the prospect of needing fillings but is able to undergo the procedure has anxiety. In contrast, a person that is so afraid of needing fillings that they won’t even go to the dentist’s office has phobia.
There are many reasons why you might experience anxiety at the thought of going to the dentist. If you haven’t been in a while, you may be afraid of learning about potential problems that have developed, like cavities or gum disease. Perhaps you might be worried that you will be judged for lax behavior, like not brushing, flossing or visiting the dentist more regularly. There might also be concern about the potential costs if extensive treatment is required.
If you have a dental phobia, it may require much more for you to feel comfortable visiting the dentist.
Understanding the Causes and Signs of Fear
Dental phobias can have many causes such as:
- Traumatic experiences with dental care or other forms of health care.
- Generalized anxiety, depression or post-traumatic stress disorders
- Fear of a loss of control
- Trust issues or fear of betrayal
- Other fears, such as agoraphobia (fear of being in situations that might cause panic, helplessness or embarrassment) or claustrophobia (fear of enclosed spaces)
When experiencing high levels of fear or anxiety, you may experience the following signs:
- Sweating
- Visible distress, tension, crying or signs of panic
- Inappropriate emotional responses, such as withdrawal, excessive humor or aggression
Communication is Key
When it comes to overcoming dental anxiety and fear, communication plays a very important role. Asking questions can help us understand the severity of the fear or anxiety you may be feeling and allow us to work with you to help alleviate your fears.
For example, if you like to be distracted during your dental treatments, we can recommend watching television or bringing your own device to listen to music.
If you prefer to know exactly what is going on, we will walk you through each step of your treatment, which includes helping you understand the instruments being used.
Perhaps alternative methods of stress relief might be helpful to you such as using a warm blanket or holding a squishy toy to keep your hands busy.
Additionally, we can offer nitrous oxide, which may help you feel a bit more relaxed.
Regardless of your individual needs, we want to provide the most comfortable and rewarding experience that we can. You are a very important part of our dental family and we will take the time to give you the care you deserve.
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