Dental Phobia
About Phobias
More then 50% of the population in the United States does not seek regular dental attention. Many of these people have severe apprehension with dental treatment because of a phobia. A dental phobia isn’t a simple fear or anxiety with dentists or dental treatment, but a serious issue that can be helped.
Avoidance of Dental Care
Problems associated with avoiding dental care, such as chronically infected gums and teeth, can lead to the inability to chew and digest. Without healthy gums and teeth your speech can be altered, halitosis can develop and your self confidence can be affected. This can lead to limitations in your lifestyle. If left untreated, undiagnosed dental problems lead to infection and contribute to a decrease in overall health.
Causes of Dental Phobia
Many times a prior negative experience, stories involving a medical or dental procedure or even the media’s depiction of a dentist can create a dental phobia. Often a family member or friend with the same problem can reinforce this phobia. Although some patients’ phobias are rooted in deeper traumas, most dental phobics can trace their fears to bad experiences in the dentist’s chair, usually during childhood, For those people who were held forcefully in a dentists chair as children, or if ignored when they were experiencing pain, every visit to the dentist is a return to that sense of helplessness and fear.
Signs of Dental Phobia
Common characteristics include:
- Severe anxiety about dentistry
- Avoiding dental visits for many years or decades.
- Denial of dental problems, even with extreme pain
- Significant tension the evening prior to your dental visit
- Frequently breaking dental appointments
- Feeling physically ill and tense at the thought of having a dental injection.
- Anxiety at the sight of dental instruments
- Sweaty palms or gripping of armrests in a dental chair.
- Rapid heartbeat, dry mouth and even nausea.
- The overwhelming feeling of lack of control
Children and the Dentist
Parents can help by making their child’s trip to the dentist as predictable and fun as possible. Inform your child the day prior to an appointment and explain what to expect in a positive manner. Pick a good time of the day, so that your child isn’t tired. Prescreen to find a dentist that makes you feel at ease. The reception and exam rooms should be pleasant and make you feel welcome. Many children fear the cleaning itself, rather than the dentist. An idea to ease their fear is to have your child watch your teeth being cleaned first, and then let them have their turn. This will show your child that it is a safe procedure. Remember to talk positively about the dentist and your dental experiences. Always use positive reinforcement involving your child’s dental care. For addition tips, ask your dentist how to approach your child’s visit.
Treatment
Treatment of dental phobia can start by discussing the matter with a sympathetic dentist, support group, family member or friend. Find a good dentist that is patient, competent, caring, and has the ability to nurture, they will try to make your time together as pain-free as possible.
Other Treatment Options:
-Locate anesthetic that does not contain epinephrine, which can make the heart race and escalate the sense of panic
-Nitrous oxide (laughing gas)
-Pre-medication with anxiety-reducing drugs
-Acupuncture to relieve symptoms
-Hypnosis
-Psychotherapy
