Dental anxiety is a common problem that affects many people, including adults. People with such fears typically come up with every excuse imaginable to avoid having to go to the dentist. Doing this often leads to oral issues they have advancing until they become so severe that the pain and discomfort they cause pushes them to finally go to the dentist.
Most people with dental anxiety are well aware that their condition is irrational, but that does not help them to cope with it. People with dental anxiety practice avoidance behavior. They are typically willing to do anything to avoid going to the dentist and extreme pain is one of the few things that can change their mind.
Symptoms of dental phobia include:
- Restlessness and difficulty sleeping the night before a dental appointment
- Anxiety when in the waiting room
- Feeling physically sick when going to the dentist is brought up
- Feeling uneasy when objects are placed in your mouth
4 Causes of dental anxiety and how they can be addressed
Here are some of the ways dentists go about helping their patients to get past dental anxiety:
1. Fear of injections
Many people are terrified of the idea of getting an injection. This fear typically intensifies when the needle is being inserted into the person's mouth. Dentists can address this by using ultra-thin painless needles or applying a topical anesthetic to the area that will be injected to numb it.
2. Fear of pain
The fear of pain is another common reason why people avoid going to the dentist. Some have bad memories of past experiences at the dentist that were painful, while others are scared that the treatment they are scheduled to get might be painful. It is an unfounded fear since anesthetics are used during treatments that might cause pain. All patients feel once a local anesthetic has been used is the pressure from the dentist working on their teeth and gums.
3. Feelings of helplessness
Some people develop dental anxiety because they feel helpless while the dentist works on their teeth and gums. An easy way to get past this is by talking to your dentist about a signal that lets them know you need a break. Simply knowing they can pause the treatment at any time they wish helps to make many patients feel relaxed. In-office sedatives can also help to keep patients relaxed.
4. Embarrassment
This is another common reason why people develop dental anxiety. They put off getting the treatment they need to avoid being judged because of the condition of their teeth. Dentists spend most of their time working on their patients and they have seen every dental problem you can imagine. Regardless of the condition of a person's teeth, their dentist has likely seen way worse and they are the last person to judge. Besides, many dentists look forward to having the opportunity to transform a smile.
Don't let dental anxiety put your oral health at risk
Contact our Auburn clinic to learn more about how our dentist can help you to cope with dental anxiety, so you can get the oral care you need.
Request an appointment here: https://pier210dental.com or call Pier 210 Dental Group at (530) 885-5696 for an appointment in our Auburn office.
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