How to Cope with Dental Anxiety

Experts recommend visiting the dentist at least two times a year to help keep your teeth and mouth healthy. However, not everyone is excited about visiting the dentist; some have dental anxiety, which is a major reason many people avoid visiting their dentist.

But what is dental anxiety, and what are its signs? Here are some things to learn about dental anxiety and how to overcome it.

What is Dental Anxiety?

Dental anxiety is described as fear or anxiety one feels when visiting a dentist. Other dental anxiety triggers may include needles, drills, and the dental setting itself.

This fear of the dentist may lead someone to avoid or delay their dental treatments, affecting their oral health. It turns into dental phobia when the person feels severe anxiety that triggers an irrational fear and causes them to avoid the dentist.

Certain mental conditions, such as generalized anxiety disorder or posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), can increase the likelihood of someone experiencing dental anxiety. Other conditions that increase the risk of dental anxiety and phobia include depression, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia.

Do You Have Dental Anxiety?

Unsure if you’re experiencing dental anxiety? Here are some of the signs you might want to watch out for:

• Rapid heartbeats
• Palpitation
• Feeling faint
• Sweating
• Panic, distress, and crying
• Withdrawal, humor, or aggression to mask anxiety

Does Dental Anxiety Affect Oral Health?

Avoiding the dentist may worsen dental problems, which will require more complicated treatment or emergency care. Unfortunately, it only fuels the dental anxiety a person already feels, becoming a vicious cycle.

Regular checkups, cleanings, and X-rays help prevent tooth decay and allow dentists to identify dental problems earlier that will only need simple treatments. It also allows dentists to spot mouth cancers early, especially those in people who smoke and drink.

Your dental problems may worsen without regular visits and need more complicated treatments. Your oral health may also affect other conditions you may have, like diabetes, obesity, and more.

How to Overcome Dental Anxiety

Building rapport with your dentist often helps with dental anxiety. Choose a dental clinic and dental staff you feel comfortable with to make the transition to visiting a dentist easier. Once you find a team of dental professionals who listen to you and guide you through every dental procedure, you can start working on these other ways to overcome your dental anxiety further.

1. Share your concerns.

Talking to your dentist about your fears and concerns may help you overcome your anxiety. This also helps the dental team adjust and determine the best way to meet your needs. Don’t be afraid to express your feelings or past experiences that may have contributed to your fears. 

Your dentist and their team are there to help ease your anxiety to help you achieve healthier teeth. You can ask them questions about each step of the procedure you’re undergoing so you won’t be surprised by anything. You can also visit centurydental.org and other similar websites to learn more about different services a dental clinic may offer and the procedures they perform.

2. Remember to breathe or find distractions.

People tend to forget to breathe when they’re panicking. An easy way to calm down and distract yourself from dental treatments is to take deep breaths. You may also imagine your favorite place until the procedure is finished.

Watching television is also an excellent way to distract yourself. You may also ask your dentist if you can wear headphones to drown out the sounds of dental instruments or drills or if you can hold a fidget spinner or a stress ball in your hand during the procedure.

3. Be aware of what you eat.

It’s best to avoid caffeine and sugary beverages before your appointment, but don’t go on an empty stomach. You may feel calmer if you eat foods high in protein.

4. Pick a time that is convenient for you.

You may find it difficult to get to your appointment or feel calm when there is a long line of people waiting for their turn or a waiting room full of patients. Visit your dental clinic and ask them what times and days are the busiest. Choose an early morning appointment to ensure you are the only person there. 

5. Use hand signals.

Hands are an excellent way to communicate with your dentist during a procedure. Ask your dentist if you can use hand signals to make it easier to tell them you need a break or if you feel uneasy and need to stop the procedure. Great dentists will ask you if you feel okay from time to time.

Key Takeaway

Dental anxiety should not get in the way of keeping your teeth healthy. Try to keep calm by distracting yourself or taking deep breaths. It’s also best to talk to your dentist about using hand signals and voicing your concerns. Lastly, try going to the dentist at a convenient time, preferably with fewer people in the clinic.