Do you avoid going to the dentist until you absolutely have to? Do you tense at the thought of a cleaning appointment? Do you experience intense fear when in the dentist’s chair? If you’ve answered “Yes” to these questions, you are a dental phobic and let me try to help you.
Dental phobia is more common that you think. In fact, it is one of the top 10 fears that people experience. Some studies have concluded that 75 percent of people experience at least a little fear regarding dental visits and that 10 to 15 percent experience intense fear that prevents them from seeking dental treatment. Also, about 8% of Americans avoid dentists all together due to fear.
There are various reasons that patients can suffer from dental phobia. These could range from a bad dental experience you may have had as a child to a pre-existing anxiety disorder. It could also be due to a feeling of lack of control or a biological mechanism. The latter is because our ancestors had a deep-seated desire to protect their noses and mouths, as this helped them survive predators. We have evolved since then, but we still have that deep-seated desire to protect our mouths and noses.
So, what can be done about the dental phobia? Well, there are certain tried and trusted techniques that can help you cope with your fear. That’s what we’ll talk about in this article…
- Involve your dentist: The most important solution is to choose a dentist is who will listen to your fears then talk to them about a strategy to overcome it. They need to know that you suffer from dental phobia so that they can work with you to help you overcome your fear. We, at Bellevue Dental Health, listen to our patients who are dental phobic and ensure that we talk to them in detail about the treatment needed and do not rush them in any way. Visit us here.
- Acknowledge that you suffer from dental phobia: This is the first step on the way to overcoming your fear. You need to accept that you are afraid of dentists but acknowledge that there are friendly dentists that can help you!
- Seek professional help if you need it: If you have a mild anxiety disorder you can cope with it yourself. However, if you suffer from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), you need professional help. This is especially the case if you are having dental implants, oral surgery or a more extensive dental treatment plan.
- Seek distraction when in the dentist’s chair: I have found that when I have patients listen to their favorite music while in the dentist’s chair or watch TV in the office, the distraction makes a huge difference. Try anything that will take your mind off the procedure.
- Try breathing and relaxation techniques: Doctors recommend relaxation techniques, such as controlled breathing, which means taking a long breath, holding it, and then releasing it very slowly. This will slow your heartbeat and relax your muscles. You can also try progressive muscle relaxation, which involves tensing and relaxing different muscle groups in turn.
- Review with your dentist which sedatives are available and appropriate: The vast majority of patients I see with dental phobias do well with some TLC. However, for those that don’t, we can use other methods such as nitrous oxide, oral sedatives, or even intravenous sedation (with a specialist).
- Bring a family member or friend with you: Most patients go to dental appointments alone. However, if you bring a family member or friend with you, they can help distract you away from your fears. Knowing that someone is there waiting for you can help you cope with your dental phobia better.
- Use noise-cancelling headphones: With these headphones, you can cancel out all the noise in the dentist’s office that can cause anxiety. This can include the sound of a drill or any other instruments. This will help you in relaxing that tad bit more and help ease your fear.
- Visit a psychologist: If you still cannot overcome your dental phobia with these simple techniques, you may need to see a psychologist. The latter will provide specialized treatment and intervention to help you cope with your dental phobia.
So, now you know how to deal with dental phobia. It’s helpful to remember that you are not the only one suffering from dental phobia. There are many like you out there. So, do recognize that fact and work with your dentist to overcome your fear…Here’s to comfortable and fear-free dental visits!
For more information on dental phobia and how it can be overcome, contact Dr. Libby Finnessy of Bellevue Dental Health at 425-641-3311 or at info@bellevuedentalhealth.com.
