According to the medical journal Medical Principles and Practice, more than a third of the population suffers from dental anxiety. Another 12% suffers from extreme dental fear. As techniques evolve to be less invasive and dentists have more tools at their disposal to increase patient comfort, we hope to also see the number of patients who are afraid of going to the dentists decrease.
In the meantime, for all those who are afraid of spending time in the dentist’s chair, we thought we’d use this blog post to share some of our best tips for overcoming dental fears.
What Causes Dental Anxiety?
According to the most recent research, most people who are afraid of the dentist have had a bad experience at the dentist in the past, usually during childhood. Some research indicates this group makes up about two-thirds of all dental anxiety sufferers. The other most common cause of dental fear stems from other life experiences, such as domestic violence or abuse during childhood, that can trigger an anxiety or survival response from a loss of control or even from experiencing minimal discomfort during routine procedures.
We try to empathize with our patients no matter what causes their anxiety and provide comfortable care at our Turlock practice. Avoiding regular dental care can lead to much worse issues at a later time.
Some of Our Advice to Keep Anxious and Fearful Patients from Avoiding Care
One of the first things you have to do is admit that your dental fear is the reason you keep putting off your dentist appointments. This admission to yourself can be a powerful motivator in taking positive steps toward making visits to the dentist easier for you.
Talk to your dentist about your fears. As we mentioned, like those who are nervous flyers, sometimes your fear stems from a loss of control. If you explain this to your dentist, they can take steps to alter their chairside manner and make sure you get a say before each next step is taken.
Another great way to keep yourself grounded in the dentist’s chair is to ask to bring a friend, partner, or family member you trust to help reassure you through your appointment. This person can also advocate for a break if they see you need a minute to pull yourself together.
If the sound of a drill or cleaning tools sends your anxiety into overdrive, ask your dentist if you can wear earplugs or listen to music to distract your senses. Block out the auditory signals that trigger your fears.
Speaking of tools, another great way to suppress your fear of dental tools is to inform yourself. Have your dentist name and explain what each tool is used for. Sometimes being more informed about what makes you afraid is an effective way to dull your fear response.
Finally, if you feel your dentist is not a good fit for you, try seeking out another dentist you can bond with better. At our practice, we are a husband-and-wife team, and we recognize that sometimes one of us is a better fit for a particular patient for varying reasons. It’s better to find a new dentist you connect with than stick with a dentist that makes you avoid your appointments.
Thanks for Reading!
We hope these tips are useful if you suffer from dental anxiety. It’s great to be up front with your dentist about your dental fear so they can adjust your care to best meet your needs.
If you enjoy our blog, please drop by and like our Facebook page to see the latest posts.