How to Overcome Dental Anxiety?

How to Overcome Dental Anxiety?

Introduction

Maintaining oral and dental health is extremely important. People should regularly attend check-ups and not miss their appointments. For dental problems that require treatment, it’s essential to consult a dentist. However, many people experience dentist phobia due to reasons such as dental anxiety.

Understanding how to overcome dental anxiety is of great interest. Firstly, it’s important to get to the root of these fears and anxieties and identify their causes. A traumatic event or a mishap during a dental examination can lead to dental treatment fear and anxiety about dental visits.

Once the cause is identified, sharing this fear with your dentist can help alleviate your anxiety. If the fear is more substantial and is hindering your treatment, it is advised to seek psychological support.

What is Dental Fear and Phobia of Dental Procedures? What are the Causes?

Dentophobia, also known as dental fear, is a common phenomenon around the world and causes people to delay or avoid dental treatments and check-ups. A person with dental issues may avoid visiting the dentist due to fear of dentistry. This avoidance can prevent early detection of potential health problems and may lead to more serious issues in the long run due to delayed treatment.

There are several key factors that lie at the root of people’s dental stress and fear of visiting the dentist. These include:

• The fear and anxiety triggered by the dental chair and the dentist’s environment
• The sound of the medical instruments used by the dentist
• Fear of bleeding
• Worry about the dentist making a mistake
• Pain experienced during the procedure
• Pain after treatment

These types of situations usually arise from environmental influences. Individuals may have been frightened about the dentist since childhood, potentially leading to the perception of dental treatment as a form of punishment. This can create a phobia-level dental appointment anxiety later in life.

Additionally, even people who have visited the dentist in the past and undergone examinations or treatments can develop anxiety. The indifferent attitude and negative behaviors of some dentists can cause various nervousness about dentistry in patients.

In some cases, fear is triggered by pain and discomfort experienced during operations.

Patients who have gone through these experiences gradually develop a fear of treatment. Therefore, the approach and informative demeanor of dentists play a significant role in alleviating patient anxiety.

At our clinic, Dr. Eren Pera and PhD. Orthodontist Dr. Tuğçe Gürbüztürk take a caring approach to help you overcome your dental fear. With the help of an artificial intelligence-supported jaw surgery planning program, you can see a simulation of your profile post-surgery. This allows you to visualize the outcome before the operation and make quick changes as desired.

We take full responsibility for all the surgeries we perform. Therefore, we continue to follow up with you after the surgery and conduct video consultations. You can also reach out to us with any questions you have and get information.

Dental Anxiety and Dentist Phobia in Children

Children are known to be easily affected by various events. Environmental factors and the behavior of family members play a significant role in causing feelings of fear, stress, trauma, and anxiety in children. Several factors can trigger dental anxiety and fear in children, which include:

• Family members using dental visits as a threat or form of punishment.
• Dentist fear induced by stories or comments heard from others.
• The smell and atmosphere of the dental examination area.
• Fear of the dental instruments used by dentists.

These factors can cause dental anxiety in children, hindering them from receiving necessary treatments and potentially leading to more serious health issues in the future. Therefore, it’s important to consult with a dentist and plan appointments in a way that is comfortable and reassuring for the child.

Recommendations for Overcoming Children’s Fear of the Dentist

Although there are many aspects to consider, identifying the causes of dentist phobia is primary. You can easily overcome this fear by establishing the right communication with your child. There are several approaches recommended for overcoming dental anxiety and fear of the dentist. These include:

• Choosing the right dentist.
• Spending enjoyable time with your child doing activities they like.
• Speaking in a motivating manner.
• Playing doctor games to create a fondness for dentists.
• Answering all your child’s questions in an understandable and reassuring manner.
• Taking their favorite toy to the appointment.
• Rewarding them with something they want after the dental check-up.

With the right methods and approaches, you can help children overcome their fear of the dentist. Children often model their behavior after family members.

Therefore, your correct approach can also positively change their attitude. You should not underestimate children’s fears or discuss these anxieties in any setting.

What Should People with Dental Fear Do?

Regular dental check-ups are essential to prevent potential future health issues. Additionally, people with dental problems need to visit the dentist for treatment. However, individuals with a dentist phobia often find themselves postponing these necessary steps, and in some cases, patients with dentophobia may avoid going to the dentist altogether.

Experts have several recommendations for individuals who want overcoming dental anxiety. These include:

People experiencing dental fear should consider the following steps:

• Choose a dentist who provides a relaxing and reassuring environment.
• Discuss your fears with your dentist before treatment and examination.
• Get detailed information from the dentist about the procedures to be performed.
• If necessary, agree with your dentist on a signal to take a break during treatment.
• Try to stay calm by taking deep breaths.
• If you have severe fear, consider using a sedative medication before treatment, with your doctor’s approval.
• Ask your dentist any questions you have about the devices, treatment methods, and possible scenarios.

Patients who are informed about the process and maintain good communication with their dentist are often able to significantly overcome their dental anxiety. Additionally, modern methods like anesthesia and sedation allow people with extreme phobia of dental procedures to receive pain-free and discomfort-free treatment.

Furthermore, scheduling treatments or check-ups in the morning can be a good strategy. Starting the procedures without the stress of waiting or the day’s busyness can create a more relaxing time for patients.

Also, after treatment, it’s important to use prescribed medications recommended by your dentist to avoid unwanted conditions like tooth pain, thus reducing the fear of experiencing pain.

Research by experts shows that people who regularly undergo dental check-ups significantly reduce their dental anxiety over time. Therefore, confronting your fear is a significant factor in overcoming it.

Dental Phobia and Its Impact on Dental Health

Patients with oral and dental problems often avoid visiting the dentist due to dental treatment fear. This avoidance hinders early diagnosis and preventive measures, leading to the need for more complex treatments in the long term.

Establishing a regular check-up routine is crucial for dental care. Dental X-rays can identify various conditions early on, making it possible to address them promptly. Additionally, following your dentist’s advice can lead to a healthier lifestyle, helping to maintain your oral and dental health.