Regular dental visits are crucial in maintaining good oral health. However, dental anxiety and phobia keep many people from visiting the dentist.
Dental anxiety is the feeling of nervousness associated with dental appointments. Meanwhile, dental phobia is the intense and irrational fear and stress of dental procedures. Dental anxiety and phobia cause delayed or missed treatment, resulting in severe oral health problems—failure to attend your dental appointment leads to cavities, bad breath, tooth loss, gum disease, plaque and tartar, and discolored or infected teeth.
Signs And Symptoms Of Dental Anxiety And Phobia
Like other medical conditions, dental anxiety and phobia present signs and symptoms. Below are some of the common ones:
- Difficulty Sleeping: People with dental anxiety and phobia have trouble sleeping the night before the procedure. They may have nightmares or bad thoughts about the treatment, leading to more fear and stress.
- Physical Symptoms: Dental fear also results in physical symptoms, such as sweating, increased heart rate, trembling, upset stomach, and using humor or aggression to mask anxiety.
Some people may avoid dental appointments altogether and find it difficult to receive treatment irrespective of the simplicity or complexity of the treatment.
Causes Of Dental Anxiety And Phobia
There are many causes of dental anxiety and phobia. Some well-known causes include the following:
- Fear Of Pain: Individuals with dental anxiety and phobia have an immense fear of pain. They magnify the pain associated with dental procedures, thus avoiding dental appointments. Fortunately, based on what Nepean dental said of sedation, it can help relieve pain and keep you comfortable during a dental procedure.
- Past Negative Dental Encounters: A negative encounter with a dentist, such as a painful treatment or an uncaring dentist, can lead to dental anxiety and phobia. Memories of traumatic experiences can cause fear and anxiety in future dental appointments.
- Medical Settings: Some individuals fear medical settings, leading to dental anxiety and phobia. The medical environment can seem uncomfortable, causing anxiety and phobia.
- Abuse Or Trauma: People who have been abused or traumatized can have difficulty undergoing dental procedures, especially if the abuse involves their mouth.
- Control Issues: Some individuals feel like they’re losing control during dental procedures. This can cause fear and anxiety, especially for people struggling daily with control issues.
Other causes of dental anxiety and phobia include fear of judgment, trust issues, fear of anesthesia side effects, history of anxiety disorder, and discomfort associated with the invasion of personal space.
Ways To Lessen Dental Anxiety And Phobia
Dental anxiety and phobia affect millions globally, interfering with their general dental health. In fact, 36% of the American population fear undergoing dental treatment, and 12% experience extreme fear. If you’re among these numbers, below are tips to help manage dental anxiety and phobia and get you back to the dental chair.
1. Talk With Your Dentist
Communication is crucial when it comes to dealing with dental anxiety and phobia. So, communicate your concerns to your dentist. They can take measures to make the appointment as comfortable as possible. For instance, the dentist may explain the steps of the procedure in detail and recommend techniques to help you feel relaxed and comfortable. If you need any clarification, feel free to ask questions.
2. Bring A Friend
Having a support person with you during the dental appointment helps reduce dental anxiety and provide emotional support. Ask your dentist if a friend can accompany you to the procedure room. Even if you don’t converse during the procedure, their presence can distract you and make you feel safe and relaxed.
3. Practice Relaxation Techniques
Dental anxiety and phobia can exacerbate while waiting for treatment or getting to the dentist’s office. In such cases, relaxation techniques can help reduce stress and anxiety. Techniques such as meditation, deep breathing, and progressive muscle relaxation help calm your mind and body, making it easier to manage dental anxiety and phobia.
To practice these techniques, close your eyes and focus on an object, then allow your body to relax. Pay attention to different organs and release tension by relaxing the whole body from the head to the feet.
4. Consider Dental Hypnosis
Hypnosis helps reduce dental anxiety and phobia by creating a state of deep relaxation and calming the mind. During hypnosis, you’re guided into a trance state where your attention focuses on positive visualization and suggestions. This helps rewire negative thoughts and emotions related to dental appointments, making you less stressed and overwhelmed. Moreover, hypnosis can help reduce pain sensitivity and discomfort linked with dental procedures, making them more manageable and less frightening.
5. Consider Dental Sedation
Dental sedation entails using sedative medications to help you relax and feel comfortable during the procedure. There are three levels of sedation, mild, moderate, and deep sedation. The level used will depend on the level of anxiety and the procedure type being performed.
Dental sedation comes in four types:
- Oral Sedation: This type of sedation is administered orally in the form of a pill.
- Nitrous Oxide: This sedation is also known as ‘laughing gas’ and is a form of inhalational anesthetic.
- Intravenous (IV) Sedation: This is conscious sedation generally administered for minor surgeries by inserting a thin needle into a vein near the surface of your skin.
- General Anesthesia: Patients under this will experience a complete loss of consciousness. This is generally used for more invasive and lengthy dental procedures.
With these various types of sedation, consult your dentist on the type that suits your needs.
6. Anxiety Relieving Medication
Anxiety relieving medication, also known as anxiolytics, help lessen dental anxiety and phobia by inducing a state of calmness and relaxation. These medications include benzodiazepines and beta-blockers.
Benzodiazepines increase the brain’s gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) activity, thus reducing anxiety and promoting relaxation. Beta-blockers block the effects of adrenaline, a hormone released when you’re stressed. This helps relieve dental anxiety symptoms such as increased heartbeat, trembling, and sweating.
Although anxiety-relieving medications reduce dental anxiety and phobia, you should take them under the supervision of a dentist. These medications have side effects such as dizziness and drowsiness and can interact with other treatments. Therefore, discuss the risks and benefits with your dentist before taking them.
7. Guided Imagery
Another technique to reduce dental anxiety and phobia is visualizing positive experiences and outcomes associated with dental visits. This technique guides you through happy thoughts and scenarios that help reduce dental stress. This can also be used alongside other measures to help manage severe dental anxiety and phobia. For instance, you may visualize past positive outcomes related to dental visits. This helps reframe negative dental thoughts and create a more positive outlook.
8. Practice Good Oral Hygiene
Maintaining good oral hygiene can reduce anxiety and phobia related to dental visits. Preventing dental issues such as gum disease and cavities can make you feel more confident and less anxious about dental visits. Moreover, practicing oral hygiene helps maintain healthy teeth and gums, reducing the need for extensive dental procedures, which are a source of anxiety. Finally, good oral hygiene improves your health, thus boosting your self-esteem and reducing dental anxiety.
9. Incorporate Positive Self-Talk
Positive self-talk helps reduce dental anxiety by reframing negative thoughts and emotions. By focusing on positive thoughts and outcomes, you can change your mindset to think of a positive and empowering outlook. For instance, instead of thinking, ‘the procedure will be painful,’ try focusing on positive thoughts such as ‘I am maintaining my dental health, and the dentist is here to help.’
10. Identify The Source Of Anxiety
Identifying anxiety triggers is an effective way to reduce dental anxiety and phobia. The source of anxiety may range from past traumatic experiences to fear of pain or needles. By identifying the root cause of your dental anxiety, you and your dentist can develop a reasonable plan to address the issue. For instance, if you’re anxious about pain, your dentist may provide pain management measures such as dental sedation.
Furthermore, identifying the source of your anxiety helps you develop and practice coping mechanisms such as deep breathing, visualization, and meditation. These mechanisms will help you feel more in control and reduce stress and anxiety related to dental procedures.
11. Use Distractions
Distraction is an effective technique in reducing dental anxiety and phobia. It helps redirect your attention from the dental procedure to something more pleasing and engaging. This is done through various ways, such as listening to music, watching a movie, or focusing on deep breathing. Shifting your attention to the dental procedure makes you feel less anxious and overwhelmed.
12. Take Breaks During The Procedure
Taking breaks during a dental procedure provides a sense of control, allowing you to relieve stress. You can take breaks to stretch, use the restroom, or take deep breaths. Taking breaks helps reduce anxiety symptoms, such as increased heartbeat or muscle tension. Additionally, dentists provide stop signals you can use to indicate you need to take a break. This helps establish a sense of control and trust, which helps alleviate anxiety and promote a sense of safety.
13. Seek Therapy
Therapy effectively reduces dental anxiety and phobia, primarily if your fear is associated with past trauma and anxiety disorders. Cognitive-behavioral therapy is the best approach, focusing on changing negative thoughts and behaviors related to dental anxiety.
After therapy, you can identify and challenge negative thoughts and replace them with positive and realistic ones. You’ll also learn coping techniques to help manage anxiety during dental procedures through therapy.
Conclusion
Dental anxiety and phobia can be a hindrance to maintaining good dental health. However, with the tips outlined above, you can manage and overcome the fear related to dental treatments. Remember to consult a dentist and discuss techniques to help you feel relaxed and comfortable during dental procedures.
