How to deal with dental anxiety? No worries! This article got the information you need to surpass the anxiousness you have there. Aside from that, dentistry nowadays was far different from the old approaches decades ago. Our dentists already know how to help an anxious patient before and during the dental procedure. In this case, we will discover these ways that the dentists apply to get the dental process done smoothly. If I were you, I would start noting the tips in this article to deal with your dental fears completely. Check out Beyond 32’s clinic in Cherrybrook NSW today if you’re looking for a qualified dentist in the Sydney area.

What is Dental Anxiety?

This general term represents the patient’s fear, anxiety, or stress over a dental setting. Dental anxiety involves the fear of going to the dentist or feeling nervous or worried about your dental appointment. Furthermore, this dental anxiousness can elevate to a more severe form which is a dental phobia.

Dental Phobia

Dental phobia is a lot more serious than anxiety. Your dentist may need the help of other medical professionals to address it. In this case, patients become panic-stricken and terrified. They are fully aware of the irrational fear, but they can’t do anything much to handle it.

Furthermore, patients with dental phobia will do anything to avoid going to the dentist. Their fear of the dentist and the dental setting can go this far. They might only go by force at the time they can no longer handle the pain from their teeth.

Generally speaking, dental anxiety can affect both adults and children. It is often rare to encounter patients with severe forms of anxiety. Moreover, the patients may have different causes of why they have developed dental anxiety or dental phobia.

Causes of Dental Anxiety or Dental Phobia

Each of us may have different reasons behind our anxiousness and phobia with the dental setting. These causes can hinder anyone from going to the dentist regularly. Let’s find out more details about them and try to understand each condition.

1 Fear of Pain

It is a typical reason why patients keep avoiding the dentist. It could develop from seeing or hearing the dental tools, fear of blood, or choking. Dental fears can make the patients not go to the dentist and avoid it as much as possible. Pain is the body’s natural reaction. However, pain no longer exists inside the dental office and once your dentist starts working.

2 Previous Bad Experiences

Another potential cause behind these fears is having experienced unpleasant or painful dental work from the past. Aside from that, the patient must have heard terrifying stories from the others. In effect, it made them believe that the same thing could happen during their dental visits. Painful past experiences from a dentist’s office would indeed hold someone back from their appointment.

3 Fear of the Dentist

Not being familiar with the dentist or the dental team can make anyone feel anxious. It can make the patient uncomfortable with the setting of dental offices. If someone visits an unfamiliar office, the room can trigger someone’s fear.

4 Fear of Losing Control

Patients may also think that sitting in a dental chair can make them lose control over the situation. Being unable to see what’s going on can lead to mixed emotions over the ongoing procedure. Additionally, sitting in the dentist’s chair surrounded by various tools can trigger the patient’s anxiousness.

5 Fear of Injections

Several people are also afraid of needles. Even just the thought of having the needles inside their mouth can terrify them. They might also think that the anesthesia hasn’t taken effect yet. As a result, they would think that the procedure would be painful.

6 Fear of Anesthetic Side Effects

Relative to anesthesia, some patients are afraid of its potential side effects. They tend to overthink the possible outcomes after the dentist applies the anesthesia and after it wears out. Moreover, they might also don’t like the sensation of numbness associated with it.

7 Self-Consciousness

Meanwhile, working with a new dentist or dental team can make them conscious of their teeth. They feel embarrassed and afraid about how their teeth look or if their mouth has terrible odors. Aside from that, some people feel uncomfortable with the closeness of dentists or hygienists on their faces.

8 Anxiety-Related Disorders

Generally speaking, the patients’ fear of the dental chair, the dentist, and their dental offices can also result from anxiety-related disorders. A few examples of these disorders are agoraphobia, claustrophobia, or obsessive-compulsive disorder related to cleanliness.

Given these points, we can see so many possible reasons behind someone’s dental anxiety. They may also have a fear of losing their teeth. These reasons are no joke for those who are experiencing them. As much as they try to get ahead of them, sometimes it doesn’t work. But fortunately, dentistry has now evolved.

Our dentist’s skills and abilities are continuously progressing. That includes dealing with patients’ dental anxiety. They now have various options to help an anxious patient while providing dental care for them. If that sounds interesting to you, please continue reading and see how a dentist’s magic works.

Dealing with Dental Anxiety

Proper dental care is indeed necessary. Our dental health is an essential part of maintaining excellent overall health. For this reason, we need to find the courage to sit in the dentist’s chair and receive treatment for our oral issues.

Meanwhile, we have listed down some techniques that dentists are fond of using for an anxious patient. Moreover, knowing them can somehow make you feel at ease and proceed with your dental care.

• First and foremost, it would be best to let your dentist know about your dental fears.
• It would also help to do some breathing exercises to relax and free yourself from being nervous. Meditation and muscle relaxation before the appointment can also help.
• Additionally, guided imagery is also one of the techniques to overcome anxiety.
• Ask your dentist beforehand if you can watch TV or listen to music to make you feel relaxed while the process is ongoing. Music and other distractions can take your mind away from what your dentist is doing.
• Furthermore, you can also ask your dentist if you can bring someone inside the office. The presence of someone close to you can be relaxing to you.

Several tips and techniques are available to make the patients receive their treatments comfortably. Even reading a posted article about a dental setup can help them prepare ahead of their dental appointment. All in all, we have several resources and tips to relax and get the dental work done.

Aside from what we mentioned above, dentistry also offers sedation to their patients. Sedation methods offer relaxation to patients, not worrying about any pain from the treatment. You may see the complete details below.

Sedation in Dentistry

Generally speaking, dentistry has grown so much compared to previous approaches. That includes the application of sedation to address dental anxiety. Below are the various kinds of sedation that your dentist may consider.

1. Nitrous Oxide or Laughing Gas: It is one of the safe and effective sedation techniques. Nitrous oxide allows you to relax after inhaling it. Nevertheless, you will remain conscious and aware of your surroundings.
2. Oral Sedation: This type involves oral sedatives that your dentist will require you to take an hour before your appointment. This way, the medicine has already taken effect before they start your treatment.
3. IV Sedation: This sedation method can make people feel as if they were asleep. This type involves inserting a needle into the vein of the arm or hand. The amount of sedation given depends on the need of the patient to stay relaxed while the procedure is ongoing.
4. General Anesthesia: This level of anesthesia only applies to extreme dental anxiety. Patients will be asleep throughout the procedure. Additionally, they will undergo monitoring after the operation to address potential side effects.

Overall, these sedation methods have been helpful to our dentists. With the use of these sedatives, the dentist can perform the treatment without any hassle. They can also assure that their patients remain calm, comfortable, and not in pain while receiving dental care.

The Essence of Going to the Dentist

Our oral health needs proper hygiene and regular visits to the dentist. Treatments can vary from one person to another. It would be best to ask questions directly from the dentist. A talk with your dentist will free you from your doubts about having your dental appointment.

Furthermore, it would be your dentist who can give you advice and recommendations to overcome your fears. Otherwise, you cannot pursue your appointment. You will be putting your oral health at risk. So, if I were you, it would be best to visit your dentist and talk about what’s making you afraid.

Your dental appointment is essential for your health. Tooth pain can progress into something severe. If you did not receive any treatment, your life would become more stressful. So, ask your dentist for tips beforehand, even online.

Overall, it is indeed necessary to visit the dentist regularly. They can help us achieve a good quality of life and a better smile. Brushing and flossing alone may not become sufficient to achieve the best health for our teeth. So, make room to relax and overcome the dental-related resources that you are afraid of.

Best Smile is Waiting Ahead

Dealing with anxiousness from a dental setup nowadays is easier compared to the past approaches. Generally speaking, our dentists are now capable of relaxing their patients while they treat them. They are full of tips to ensure their patient’s comfort as they address the tooth causing their pain.

In the end, the root of your dental health issues will permanently go away. Note your dentist’s tips for your visit, and you will no longer be too much anxious about your appointment. Only the best smile will be waiting ahead of you.

You can visit SouthportParkDental.com.au today if you need more professional help.

References:

How to Overcome Dental Anxiety, Leon F Seltzer Ph.D., Reviewed by Lybi Ma, February 28, 2018, https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/evolution-the-self/201802/how-overcome-dental-anxiety

Easing Dental Fear in Adults, Webmd.com, Medically reviewed by Michael Friedman, DDS, October 10, 2019, https://www.webmd.com/oral-health/easing-dental-fear-adults

Coping with a fear of the dentist, Nhsinform.scot, May 20, 2020, https://www.nhsinform.scot/healthy-living/dental-health/visiting-the-dentist/coping-with-a-fear-of-the-dentist