How to Manage Dental Anxiety and Dental Fear

Imagine being so afraid of going to the dentist that avoiding the visit altogether becomes preferable. Some people with dental anxiety, or worse, dental fear, may suffer from poor oral hygiene due to their mental state. As a result, their overall health is put at risk from the negative influence of improper oral care.

Before dental anxiety and dental fear rule over your life and cause problems, you can do something about it. Managing dental anxiety and dental fear will bring about a healthier physical and mental state. Learn how to manage them correctly to mitigate further clinical problems.

Characteristics of Dental Anxiety and Dental Fear

Did you know that around 36% of US citizens fear having their teeth treated in a dental office? When it comes to fear and anxiety, dental health is associated with a lot more often than you think.

Dental anxiety alludes to the feeling of unease a person may have when they think about going through dental procedures. Or sometimes, the unease is linked to the dentist’s practice. The spectrum is wide here; it can manifest as mild discomfort or acute fear. The anxiety typically can be triggered by various factors—the buzzing sound of a dental drill, fear of pain, or a past negative experience.

If the anxiety causes an irrational fear and ends up with the avoidance of going to the dentist altogether, this may be classified as dental phobia or dental fear. There are even two medical terms for these conditions: dentophobia, which means fear of visiting the dentist, or odontophobia, which alludes to fear of undergoing a dental procedure.

There are many characteristics of dental anxiety or phobia. Some symptoms may resemble panic attacks. Watch out for these signs:

• Shortness of breath
• Heart palpitations
• Extreme sweating or cold sweat
• Feeling faint
• Low blood pressure
• Crying

Meanwhile, the causes for fear can vary between these factors, among others:

• Fear of pain
• Fear of drills
• A feeling of helplessness or claustrophobia on the dental chair
• Traumatic experience with loss of control or abuse
• Bad experience with healthcare services

When trying to deal with dental anxiety or phobia, there are two ways you can try. The first is to focus on coping with the triggers (e.g., learning pain management techniques to deal with fear of pain). The second is to treat the anxiety or phobia itself (e.g., using techniques for stress relief.)

Why Managing the Anxiety and Fear Matters

With dental anxiety or fear, it’s better to manage them straight away before it gets too debilitating. Dental avoidance (that is when you start to avoid going to the dentist) will ultimately have unfavorable effects. 

It’s because oral health problems don’t just cause problems in your mouth. Tooth decay, oral infections or gum disease can indicate more serious problems. After all, dental health has been linked to a person’s general health and dental issues will affect a person’s quality of life.

Major health issues await those with untreated dental problems, resulting in diabetes, stroke, or cardiac arrest. Maintaining good oral hygiene is the only way to reduce these health risks. So,  keep up your best dental practices at home and lose your fear of dental treatments.

How to Effectively Manage Dental Anxiety and Dental Fear

You can adopt several ways to cope with dental anxiety and fear. Some are intended to be simple enough to DIY. But for severe cases, you may want to take more professional treatment options like behavioral therapy.

Breathing exercises

This exercise applies to many situations in your life, especially when you start feeling overwhelmed or worried. Close your eyes. Then, take a deep breath through the nose. Hold it in for a few beats. Finally, release it through your mouth. Repeat this action several times. 

Practicing deep breathing exercises before and during dental appointments may relax your body and mind. When you are calmer, you can have a less fraught dental experience. 

Meditation and mindfulness practice

Practicing meditation and mindfulness helps deal with severe anxiety. The keys to this practice are muscle relaxation and specific focus. First, sit comfortably and breathe deeply. Then, focus on a point in your body or object that you can see or picture in your mind.

The heightened awareness and focus of that point will gradually make you forget about the external distractions from your body. Once you get into a meditative state, your body will consciously release tension. You may end up feeling relaxed for the whole treatment.

Bring a companion

If your anxious feelings become a handful, bringing a companion to your dental care appointment can be beneficial. Ask a close friend or family member you trust to keep you company in the dental office’s waiting room before the dental treatment starts. Some clinics may even allow their presence inside the examination room. Even if you can’t speak with them during the treatment, their presence will take away the extreme anxiety from the anxious patient.

Talk to your dentist

Talking to a dental professional about your fears and concerns can help. If you feel uncomfortable talking to a dentist, try a member of the dental team like a nurse or a technician. They can offer insights about a procedure and its side effects.

For example, you can ask them to explain what occurs before, during, and after a procedure. The clarity will hopefully remove any negative feelings or lack of control over it.

Drugs and sedation

In the most extreme cases of fear and anxiety, and if the dental treatment calls for it, your doctor may even prescribe medication. Known as sedation dentistry, these medications can treat and even eliminate the feelings of anxiety and anxiety symptoms, or the factors affecting it. People with a strong gag reflex or low pain threshold usually benefit most from sedation dentistry.

For example, your dentist may prescribe anti-anxiety drugs like Valium or use conscious sedation before a treatment starts. Or your dentist may use anesthesia to handle the pain itself. These treatments, however, may not be eligible for everyone, so consult your dentist before proceeding.

Conclusion

People with dental anxiety or dental fear are at severe risk of experiencing health problems due to poor oral care. However, you must overcome your anxiety and fear to achieve the most optimal oral health. Only with proper oral health will you be able to avoid the long-term risks to your health and well-being.

Measures like exercising your breathing, muscle relaxation, and bringing a friend are meant to help manage your dental anxiety and fear. You can even take it a step further by having a deep discussion with your dentist about anxiousness over a procedure. And you can always ask for oral sedatives to further manage your anxiety.

Riverside Dental Care prioritizes in providing a comfortable space for patients to feel relaxed and lose their fear. Thanks to its sedation dentistry practice, you can rest assured that Riverside Dental Care will give you a positive experience during dental treatment. Contact us for an appointment.