Dental Fear: Tips to Calm Patients Before A Dental Appointment

Oral health is essential for our overall wellbeing. However, several people suddenly feel a surge of dental fear and anxiety whenever they even think about having to visit the dentist. This could stem from an unpleasant experience at the dentist's office as a child or from fear that an oral health issue is too expensive or complicated to repair.

While some people have anxiety about their dental visits due to past or perceived experiences, some people actually have a phobia of going to the dentist. This condition is known as dentophobia or odontophobia which is an intense but irrational fear of receiving dental care.

Since everyone needs to maintain oral hygiene and visit the dentist regularly for optimal health, a fear of the dentist shouldn't keep you from getting the oral health you need, which can include fillings, cleanings, and extensive dental procedures. However, it is important to note that some people are significantly more anxious about visiting the dentist than others. Here are a few important things you should know about preparing your mind and emotions for your next dental visit.

Phobia vs Fear: What's the Difference?

People often used the terms "phobia" and "fear" as synonyms, but they are also distinctly different. Fear can be described as an intense dislike that could lead to extreme avoidance. However, people usually don't think about the fear until they are faced with it.

However, phobias are a much more intense type of fear and have even been classified as a form of anxiety. When someone has a phobia, they tend to avoid the things or places they are afraid of at all costs and may respond with distress or panic if they are exposed to their phobia. It is also important to note that phobias are often connected to irrational fears. In other words, the phobia makes people think something terrible is going to happen even though the likelihood of something tragic occurring is very low.

When people have dental fear, they are averse to visiting the dentist and may avoid going to the dentist at all costs, even if they are in pain or need extensive dental care. Some people have a phobia connected to the drills or chairs that are used in dental offices. People who fear visiting the dentist are usually able to sit through the discomfort of seeing or hearing these items. People with a phobia will likely have reactions that include crying, screaming, or running away when they are exposed to the thing they fear.

In order to understand dental fear and dentophobia, it is important to explore where this fear comes from and which treatments may be effective.

What Causes a Fear of the Dentist?

Anxiety and fear connected to dental visits are usually a result of frightening or negative experiences during previous dental appointments. For example, some people have been scared of going to the dentist since they were children and never grew out of their fear. Some people are scared of the noises that specific dental tools make and associate the sound with painful procedures.

A phobia, by definition, is extremely intense fear. If someone has a phobia of going to the dentist, this could be due to a painful or unpleasant experience from months or even years ago. Studies show that nearly 5% of women and almost 3% of men suffer from dentophobia.

Some people are apprehensive about visiting the dentist because they are concerned that their oral health issues are very serious and will require extensive or painful treatment. A person with dentophobia may be dealing with symptoms such as bleeding or swollen gums or a lingering toothache but won't schedule an appointment with the dentist because they're afraid of receiving a potentially grim diagnosis.

How to Treat Dental Fear

If you only have a mild fear of going to the dentist, it's best to visit the dentist so you can prove to yourself that most of your fears are all in your head. If you have to have a lengthy procedure, ask the dentist if you can be sedated to calm your anxiety or to ensure you're completely asleep while the dentist is working to repair your teeth or gums. If it has been determined that you're suffering from dentophobia, a combination of medication, counseling, and therapy could help you overcome your fear.

Here are a few options you may want to consider:

• Medications

  : Medications won't completely treat dentophobia but they could help you feel less anxious as you prepare for your dental appointment. Anti-anxiety medicines can also help to reduce some of the physical symptoms of anxiety including high blood pressure and shortness of breath.

• Exposure therapy

  : This type of therapy requires you to visit the dentist without sitting in the exam chair or receiving any services. From there, you can start going to the dentist for minor or routine exams, and as you get more comfortable, you can make appointments for more advanced treatments.

How to Remain Calm

Once you've decided that you're ready to combat your dental fear, you can stay calm by keeping a few suggestions in mind:

• Make your appointment during the morning since this is when dental offices tend to be less busy. Sometimes coming to a nearly empty office and not having to hear as many dental tools being used can help keep you relaxed.

• Meditate and breathe deeply both before and during your dental appointment to balance your emotions and keep your anxiety down.

• Bring your earbuds with you to listen to your favorite songs or podcasts while you're being treated by the dentist.

• Ask a friend or family member to come to your dental appointment with you. You can even ask them to drive you so you mentally prepare for your appointment without the distraction of driving.

These are just a few helpful tips you can use to make your dental fear a thing of the past. While you likely won't get rid of your phobia overnight, your fear can progressively subside if you actively practice working through your phobia for the good of your oral health.