Coping With Dental Anxiety
Dentist visits, or even the very thought of them, might trigger feelings of nervousness or anxiety for some. Whether it's due to a fear of pain, a visceral reaction to the sound of the drill, or memories of past negative experiences, dental anxiety is not an uncommon fear to affect people. Even though there have been many advances in the dental field to reduce discomfort and pain, fear of the dentist is still fairly widespread among both adults and children.
Visiting the dentist regularly can be essential for maintaining good oral health, which can affect various other aspects of overall well-being. Managing a fear of the dentist is possible with the right approach. Below, we explore strategies that may help you reduce fear related to the dentist so you can get your check-ups or necessary procedures with a bit less stress.
Understanding dental anxiety and dental phobia
Dental anxiety is a spectrum ranging from a sense of nervousness to a serious anxiety disorder related to dental visits. For example, it’s natural to feel tense before a potentially painful dental procedure. However, someone with a specific phobia of the dentist, or dentophobia, may experience debilitating anxiety symptoms when visiting the dentist or even just the thought of dental procedures. A specific phobia is a diagnosable anxiety disorder per the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) that typically requires professional treatment.
Symptoms of dental anxiety
General, non-clinical anxiety about going to the dentist could look like nervousness, muscle tension, and a pit in the stomach. In contrast, when faced with the thought or object of their phobia, a person with dentophobia could experience severe anxiety symptoms like:
- Sweating, shaking, and other signs of fear
- A rapid heartbeat
- Fainting
- Panic attacks
- Confusion or disorientation
- Feelings of dread
- Avoiding the dentist at all costs
- Additional effects caused by symptoms, such as trouble sleeping, high stress levels, increased blood pressure, and health problems resulting from a lack of dental care
Do dental phobia or dental anxiety require mental health care?
If you’re experiencing symptoms of a diagnosable mental health condition like a specific phobia or other anxiety disorders, it’s generally recommended that you meet with a qualified mental health care provider for support and medical advice. If a professional observes signs of dental phobia or a similar concern, they can determine whether further testing, a diagnosis, and treatment are necessary. The recommended treatment for specific phobias is usually exposure therapy or other forms of psychotherapy, sometimes in combination with medication. For example, during exposure therapy a professional may ask the participant to imagine the process of sitting in a dental chair and undergoing treatment. Note that even those who aren’t presenting with signs of a diagnosable disorder may benefit from engaging in some form of talk therapy.
Identifying possible causes of fear related to dental work
It may be helpful in the process of addressing dental anxiety to consider where this fear may have come from. Common causes of dental anxiety can include:
- A fear of pain
- Negative past experiences, creating a vicious cycle of fear
- Embarrassment or shame about the condition of one’s teeth
- A sensitive gag reflex
- A general fear of medical procedures
- Related childhood trauma
If you are experiencing trauma, support is available. Please see our Get Help Now page for more resources.
If a person’s dental anxiety qualifies as a clinical specific phobia, research suggests that genetics and childhood experiences may also play a role in why that phobia may have developed.
Helpful tips for your next oral health appointments
If you’re planning a dental visit soon, there are a few tips that may help it be less stressful. First and foremost, letting your dentist know about your fears or anxieties before your appointment may help put your mind at ease and allow them to better support you. You might explain your concerns and ask any specific questions about the procedure that they plan to do. There’s typically no need to feel self-conscious, as they’re likely used to these sorts of questions.
Request accommodations during dental treatment
You could also request accommodations that may help you feel better about the dentist work they’ll be performing, such as the ability to use headphones with calming music or a guided imagery practice, asking to take breaks as needed, or asking the provider to explain each step to you before they begin.
Here are some additional tips for preparing for a dental appointment and managing anxiety during your visit:
Choose a dentist you trust and feel comfortable with. Extra research and evaluation of patient reviews can be helpful if you’re choosing a new practitioner.
Research any planned procedures beforehand to help yourself mentally prepare and gain a better understanding of what to expect.
Avoid caffeine for several hours before your appointment, as research suggests it may increase anxiety and jittery feelings.
Bring a friend or family member for moral support and to help keep you calm.
Write down any questions or concerns that you want to ask about ahead of time, which can help you feel more prepared and help you avoid forgetting anything.
Practice relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing or visualization, before and even during the appointment to help keep your nervous system in a calm and relaxed state. Positive self-talk may also help you feel relaxed.
Ask about the possibility of having numbing agents, nitrous oxide, or general anesthesia for certain procedures, if applicable.
Seeking professional support for dental anxiety
Symptoms of both dental anxiety and dentophobia have the potential to cause distress and make it difficult for a person to receive the care they may need to promote oral health and prevent gum disease.
If dental anxieties or fears are causing you to avoid the dentist altogether, seeking the support of a mental health professional might be required. Therapy in particular may help a person learn to identify and shift distorted thoughts about the dentist or dental procedures in order to reduce symptoms and receive dental care with less anxiety.
In-person and online therapy
If you’re interested in receiving therapy, you can choose between in-person and online care in many cases. Those who lack providers near them or whose anxiety symptoms make it difficult to leave the house may find it more convenient to attend online therapy. A growing body of research suggests that online therapy may offer similar outcomes to in-person therapy in most cases, so you can typically feel confident in choosing whichever format you prefer.
Takeaway
Frequently asked questions
Read more below for answers to questions commonly asked about dental anxiety.
How does anxiety affect dental treatment?
It can have a negative impact on dental treatment by making it difficult to even go to the appointment. The stress may cause some individuals to avoid going to the dentist altogether, leading to neglect of general health and teeth issues.
What are the complications of dental anxiety?
Complications can include delayed or inadequate care for teeth, as anxious patients may avoid the dental office. This can result in worsened oral health and potentially create a need for more invasive dental treatment options later on.
How do you deal with severe dental anxiety?
This often involves a multi-faceted approach, including the use of conscious sedation or IV sedation. Muscle relaxation techniques and medication can also help make the dental setting less intimidating.
Does trait anxiety affect dental fear?
Yes, trait anxiety, which is a personality characteristic, can influence fear. People with high levels of trait anxiety are generally more prone to develop an irrational fear or phobia surrounding dental procedures.
How do dentists calm anxiety during dental treatment?
Your dentist can employ various techniques to calm your nerves such as the use of nitrous oxide for mild sedation. They can also provide distractions like television or music. It depends on your dentist on how they will calm your anxiety during treatment.
How can a dentist tell if you have dental anxiety?
Stress symptoms in the mouth can be identified by dentists during routine dental checkups and cleanings. Your dentist will be able to spot any indications of stress or anxiety during the examination.
Is it normal to cry during oral health appointments?
It is normal to cry during dental appointments. Your dentist should be gentle enough to provide support while you express your feelings of dread and anxiety. It is their responsibility to not judge, and help you overcome your fears and anxieties during your dental appointment.
Questions to ask your therapist about dental anxiety
How can I manage anxiety at the dentist?
Can you be put to sleep during oral health?
What are the consequences of dental anxiety?
Why do so many people have dental anxiety?
Is dental anxiety a mental illness?
What is the prevalence of dental anxiety?
- Previous Article
- Next Article