Does the thought of going to the dentist create anxiousness, nervousness, and an increased heart rate? You are not alone. The fear of the dentist, also known as dental anxiety or dental phobia, is a real issue experienced by children and adults alike. It has been reported that nearly 40 million Americans experience some type of dental fear and may avoid visiting the dentist for years at a time. Dental fear could be as mild as the feeling of butterflies in your stomach while undergoing procedures to debilitating panic that prevents you from following through on dental appointments.
Although the majority of dental fear tends to be connected to a previous dental experience, it can also be completely unrelated to dentistry. People with anxiety disorders or posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) often have difficulty placing themselves in positions of vulnerability, such as sitting in a dentist’s chair with their mouths wide open and unable to talk.
Dental Anxiety vs. Dental Phobia
Dental anxiety and dental phobia are different in their approaches. People with dental anxiety may have uneasiness and nausea the night before their appointment due to irrational thoughts of what’s going to happen but typically follow through on their appointments. Dental phobia is an intense fear and feeling of dread that can create panic attacks. People with this issue avoid seeing the dentist even when in severe pain. To them, visiting the dentist is graver than actually treating their health issue.
What Causes Dental Fear?
The cause of dental fear is different for every patient. It could be the result of undergoing a previous dental procedure without proper anesthetic, an unpleasant dentist with poor chairside manner, or simply struggling with sitting still in a dental chair for hours at a time.
Common causes of dental fear can include:
- Past traumatic dental procedure
- Hearing a family member or friend’s stressful dental experience
- Embarrassment or self-consciousness due to bad breath or the appearance of teeth
- Fear of pain, needles, or dental instruments
- Vulnerability and lack of control
- Hyperactive gag reflex
- Low pain tolerance or difficulty numbing
Do You Have a Fear of the Dentist?
Below are common symptoms of dental anxiety or phobia:
- Difficulty sleeping the night before your appointment
- Sweating, increased heart rate, and high blood pressure while in the waiting room or before entering the exam room
- The thought of visiting the dentist makes you cry or physically ill
- Previous panic attacks or trouble breathing during an exam
- Continually postponing or canceling dental appointments
How to Treat Dentist Anxiety and Phobia
The first step to overcoming your fear is finding a friendly and experienced dentist who will listen to you. And work with you to find the best approach to addressing your concerns. A knowledgeable and patient dentist will explain procedures in advance and create helpful strategies and hand signals you can use during the appointment to alert him or her when you are uncomfortable. Unlike dental practices of the past, dental offices today provide a warm and relaxing environment with amenities, such as comfortable chairs, blankets, pillows, TVs, and headphones to help you relax.
With the advancement of sedation dentistry, many dentists today provide a variety of sedation methods. Such as nitrous oxide and prescription oral sedatives to help calm your nerves and bring peace of mind. Nitrous oxide, also known as “laughing gas” is a combination of nitrogen and oxygen that is administered via a nose mask throughout your entire dental exam. Oral sedation uses medications, such as Valium or Halcion to create the same effect, but at a stronger level. You will typically take medication 30 minutes to an hour before your appointment. Because of the medication’s effects, you will also need someone to drive you to and from your appointment Patients who undergo sedation achieve a sleep-like state and remember little to nothing after the procedure.
Overcome Your Dentist Fear
Postponing routine office visits will only exacerbate your dental healthcare issues and the level of care required in the future. If you are someone you love is experiencing a fear of the dentist, we can help! Drs. Alex and Claudia Denes at Fresno Sedation Dentistry in Fresno, CA can help you receive the dental care you need under the comfort of oral sedation. To schedule your appointment, contact our office today online or by calling (559) 297-1294.