How to overcome dental anxiety
If fear is preventing you from going to the dentist, you’re not alone. Studies suggest that around 80% of American adults suffer from some degree of dental anxiety, ranging from a mild aversion to an intense phobia. Regular dental visits are essential for maintaining healthy teeth and gums, so it’s important to understand the root of your fear so that you can take important steps to a healthier smile.
What Is Dental Anxiety?
Dental anxiety is any fear or stress that is associated with a dental setting. You may be triggered by something specific, like the idea of sitting in a dental chair or the sound of a dental drill, or the anxiety might be more general.
Typical symptoms include:
• Trouble sleeping the night before a dental appointment.
• Feeling emotionally or physically ill at the thought of being in a dentist’s office.
• Escalating feelings of nervousness while waiting to see the dentist.
• Stress symptoms including sweating, elevated heart rate and lightheadedness.
• Feeling faint or experiencing feelings of panic in the dentist’s waiting room.
• General fear that prevents you from making a dentist appointment.
Why Do People Fear the Dentist?
You may not even be fully aware of why the dentist sparks such intense anxiety, or perhaps you can tie your fear to a specific experience.
Some of the most common causes of dental anxiety include:
• A traumatic dental or medical experience in your past
• Avoidance of discomfort or pain
• A feeling that you don’t want your personal space invaded
• Fear that the dentist will find something wrong
• Trust issues or fear of losing control
• Embarrassment about your oral health
• Negative dentist stereotypes
• Generalized anxiety or PTSD
How to Ease Dental Anxiety
There are strategies can help anyone overcome their fear. These are some of the best ways to cope with dental anxiety and start visiting the dentist without fear.
Find the Right Dentist
It is really important to have a dentist who understands anxious patients’ needs. The right dentist understands your fears and creates a calming, welcoming environment. Look for a dentist that has positive patient reviews and who will answer any questions you may have. Your dentist’s team should be friendly, helpful and maintain a comfortable atmosphere that puts you at ease.
Bring a Friend
Sometimes the idea of going to the dentist’s office alone can amplify your fears. You might find that the experience is a bit less anxiety-inducing if you bring a trusted friend or family member with you. Having an ally and advocate, even if you don’t end up needing one, can make the experience less stressful.
Use Relaxation Techniques
A wide range of mindfulness and relaxation exercises and techniques can help relieve the anxiety of going to the dentist. If you’ve had to deal with stress or anxiety in other areas of your life, then you may already know of some practices that work for you.
Some of the most helpful relaxation techniques include:
• Breathing exercises – Regulating your breath is a great way to keep your muscles relaxed and maintain a feeling of calm.
• Listening to music – Listening to your favorite music or soothing audio may help while you’re in the waiting room. You can keep your earbuds in during a dental procedure.
• Meditation – Meditation is effective. Try focusing on one part of your body at a time and allowing each part to relax.
• Keeping your hands busy – If you’re someone who benefits from doing something to keep you occupied, then having something to do with your hands might keep you relaxed. Consider a stress ball or fidget spinner, knitting or doing a crossword puzzle.
Arrive to Your Appointment Early
Feeling rushed will only add to your stress level, so give yourself plenty of time. Leave the house early in case there’s traffic, and plan on arriving at the dentist’s office well in advance of your appointment. You’ll have extra time to sit and relax.
Discuss Your Fears with Your Dentist
One of the best things you can do to manage your dental anxiety is to talk to your dentist about it. We are trained at helping anxious and sensitive patients and will do everything in our power to make your visit as peaceful and anxiety-free as possible. Plus, just communicating about it will likely be a relief.
And while you’re with the dentist, feel free to ask questions. If you’re unsure about something, or if you want your dentist to explain what they’re doing and why they’re doing it, just ask.
Consider Sedation Dentistry
Sedation and anesthesia aren’t the right solutions for every patient, but they’re very safe and effective options worth discussing with your dentist. We follow the ADA’s guidelines for administering anti-anxiety medication and nitrous oxide to assist patients with anxiety.
Dental anxiety is extremely common and completely normal.
If you’ve been experiencing fear about going to the dentist’s office, know that you’re not alone. Rather than avoiding dental appointments, reach out to your dentist today to discuss your reservations, and together you can create a strategy for beating dental anxiety.
Jordan Haire, DMD is a dentist in practice with ROC Dental Group on Hilton Head Island. Learn more at ROCDentalGroup.com.
