Keeping regular appointments at your local dental office is an important part of taking care of your health, but anxiety about going to the dentist can be a barrier. This article will take a closer look at this common phenomenon and its triggers and symptoms and will suggest some helpful tools for dealing with it.
The Prevalence of Dental Anxiety
Unfortunately, for many people, extreme anxiety at the dentist keeps them from scheduling regular checkups and getting treatment for dental issues. In fact, it’s normal to be scared of the dentist. About half of adults report having at least a moderate level of fear of the dentist, and roughly a 10th of adults avoid seeing the dentist regularly as a result of that fear.
Dentist anxiety is complex, and it’s often influenced by other fears and apprehensions. For example, some people avoid the dentist because they anticipate feeling queasy at the sight of blood, while others are uncomfortable with needles and feel fear at the possibility of getting an injection. For some people, the idea of having their personal space invaded is enough to keep them from scheduling an appointment.
Oftentimes, a fear of the dentist begins during childhood. Children don’t always have access to the same pain management options as adults for procedures such as tooth extractions, and not all dental offices take steps to create comfortable environments for young patients. As a result, individuals learn to associate the dentist’s chair with pain and discomfort. These feelings don’t necessarily go away when the individual reaches adulthood and can be a barrier to seeking and receiving adequate dental care.
On top of early negative experiences at the dentist, messaging from friends, family and even television shows and advertisements can reinforce fears and negative feelings about the dentist. Common sayings or descriptions such as, “less fun than a root canal,” or “like pulling teeth,” can further cement these anxieties.
Over time, this fear can lead to the avoidance of necessary dental care, making visits seem daunting. The longer an individual avoids the dentist, the more this fear grows, especially if they begin to experience oral pain. It’s important to challenge these negative perceptions to help alleviate extreme anxiety at the dentist.
Common Triggers and Symptoms of Dentist Anxiety
As is the case with other fears, an individual’s dentist anxiety is typically based on their own experiences and perceptions. While each person’s mix of apprehensions may be unique, there are a few common triggers that make it challenging to obtain care.
- Past negative experiences: Whether someone had a negative experience at the dentist’s office during childhood or they visited a dentist as an adult who didn’t provide compassionate care or adequate pain management, memories of a past experience can be difficult to overcome.
- Fear of pain: Despite new pain management options, many people associate procedures such as cavity repairs or tooth extractions with extreme discomfort, causing them to avoid basic oral care.
- Fear of needles: While a typical checkup at the dentist’s office doesn’t involve needles, many patients fear that their dentist may find an issue that requires more extensive care, which may require the use of a needle.
- Fear of dental equipment: Noisy drills or clattering tools are enough to trigger anxiety for some patients.
- Feeling of helplessness or loss of control: Particularly for those who don’t receive regular dental care or who have a history of trauma, lying flat in the dentist’s chair can invoke feelings of vulnerability or helplessness.
- Embarrassment: The longer an individual goes without receiving dental care, the more difficult it is to gather the courage to make an appointment. Some patients feel embarrassed by how many years have passed since they’ve seen a dentist, while others feel embarrassed by the state of their teeth.
- Sensitive gag reflex: X-rays and the tools a hygienist uses to clean patients’ teeth can be anxiety-inducing for those with sensitive gag reflexes.
- General fear of medical procedures: For some people, any medical procedure – dental or otherwise – is enough to trigger fear.
The signs of extreme anxiety at the dentist are uncomfortable and hard to miss. The most common symptoms include:
- Sweating
- Increased heart rate
- Stomach upset
- Feeling of dread
- Difficulty sleeping the night before the appointment
- Avoidance of dental care
- Panic attacks during dental procedures
Strategies for Managing Dentist Anxiety Before and During Visits
Healthy or not, for many people, avoidance is the simplest way to manage fear and anxiety. Have a fear of tight spaces? Avoid exploring caves. Are you afraid of flying? Plan a road trip instead.
Unfortunately, avoiding routine care is a counterproductive way to manage dentist anxiety. There’s no way to get around the fact that adequate dental care includes regular professional cleanings and treatment for oral issues. However, the good news is that there are steps you can take before and during your dental appointment to alleviate some of the fear you experience.
- Talk to Your Dentist
Dentists understand the fear and anxiety many of their patients experience, and they’re better informed than ever on how to address those fears. When you schedule your appointment, let the staff know how you’re feeling as well as the negative experiences you’ve had in the past at the dentist. They should take your fear seriously and provide you with information on what they do to help patients manage their anxiety. If they don’t, that may not be the right dental provider for you. - Breathing Exercises
Deep breathing exercises can help you slow your heart rate, relax your mind and help you feel calmer. Whether you experience anxiety symptoms in the days leading up to your appointment or you begin to experience them while in the chair, breathing exercises can help you stay in control of your body’s reactions. - Practice Mindfulness and Meditation
A lot of extreme anxiety at the dentist comes from anticipating what will happen next. Instead of thinking about what may or may not be getting ready to happen next, focus on getting through the present moment. Pay attention to how each muscle group is feeling and work on relaxing those muscles while you wait for the procedure to end. - Bring a Friend
Most dental offices have space for a spare chair and have no problem with letting you bring along a friend for emotional support. Even if you can’t talk to this person during your appointment, knowing they’re there can help you feel safe and calm. - Find a Distraction
Before your appointment begins, talk to the dental hygienist or dentist about your fear and ask if it’s ok for you to use headphones during the procedure. Listening to music, an audiobook or a podcast can keep your mind busy and help the time pass quickly. - Ask About Pain and Anxiety Management
If you’re someone who’s resistant to local anesthesia, make sure your dentist knows that you’re hard to numb and that you may need other interventions for a pain-free experience. Some dentists also provide a prescription for a short-acting anxiety medication, helping to reduce the fear you experience prior to and during your appointment. Once again, if your dentist doesn’t have accommodations or doesn’t offer additional pain management, it may not be the right office for you.
Importance of Regular Dental Care Despite Fears
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend that everyone go to the dentist at least once annually, and the American Dental Association recommends that most people go to the dentist at least twice per year. Current recommendations indicate that people who use nicotine, have diabetes, or are pregnant should see their dentist every three months. Regardless of your specific situation, keeping up with regular cleanings and exams is essential for good overall health.
Regular dental cleanings and checkups are crucial for maintaining healthy teeth and gums and avoiding serious (and costly) problems in the future. During these appointments, the dentist or dental hygienist evaluates the health of your teeth, removes plaque and tartar and looks for indications of diabetes, oral cancer or vitamin deficiencies. They also provide customized guidance and specific advice on managing your oral health needs.
Beyond safeguarding your oral health, visiting the dentist regularly helps reduce your risk of conditions such as heart disease, which researchers link to gum disease. Your oral health impacts your overall health, and bacteria and inflammation in the mouth can increase your risk of heart attack and stroke if left untreated. Practicing good daily care and receiving preventative dental treatment can reduce these risks.
While dentist anxiety can be a barrier to receiving care, identifying strategies that enable you to manage that fear can help you enjoy optimal health.
