Dental anxiety is one of the most common conditions that affect people worldwide, with far-reaching effects that prevent them from receiving the necessary dental care and compromise their oral health. The causes of dental anxiety and how to manage it will greatly improve the quality of life of those affected. This article will cover the causes of dental anxiety, its effects, and simple tips on how to control it.
What is Dental Anxiety?
Dental anxiety refers to the fear or apprehension that people develop in relation to thinking about, expecting, or actually undergoing dental treatment. This could be light apprehension to major fear that might prevent a person from ever visiting a dentist. Usually, it is due to bad experiences, fear of pain, or even the noises and smells associated with a dental office.
Dental anxiety is quite normal and affects people, but with proper management, it could go a long way to making a person healthy. It will eventually lead to neglecting one’s oral health and leave untreated dental problems leading to more serious health issues. With proper approach and support, it can be managed to its fullest to allow good oral health and positive experiences from dental visits.
Causes of Dental Anxiety that Occur Frequently
There are several reasons attributed to dental anxiety. The reasons are essential in handling such a condition. Among the common reasons that make people experience anxiety while visiting the dentist include the following:
1. Previous negative experiences
The major reasons of dental anxiety include essentially a painful or traumatic experience at the dentist. Painful procedure, ineffective communication, or vulnerability with regard to the treatment is linked as a cause. In reality, such occurrences inflict emotional injury on the patient. Fear in regard to the dentist is then linked by people within this group who have unfavorable previous experience of the same.
2. Fear of Pain
The second important cause of dental anxiety is fear of pain. Many patients fear going to the dentist because it reminds them of the pain, even severe pain, associated with fillings, root canals, or extractions. Although modern dental treatment is designed to cause as little discomfort and pain as possible, a fear of pain is an important source of anxiety, particularly from patients who have experienced dreadful histories of treatments.
3. Shame of Oral Hygiene
Some patients will be ashamed of the appearance of their teeth and gums, especially when they are overdue for treatment. Other patients may be scared to come and see the dentist due to fear of lecture by the dentist. This is usually the case with patients having terrible dental problems but shun coming to see the dentist for treatment due to shyness.
4. The Unknown Fear
This comes down to dental anxiety; to most, it comes from fear of the unknown. To some patient, if he or she had not experienced a certain procedure in their life, he or she becomes worried about what could happen. It’s extremely dreadful when it comes out to be new or an alternative treatment. Such can create going to the dentist unbearable and pain.
5. Fear of needles and injections
For others, the mere presence of needles or even the thought of an injection in itself can be very anxiety provoking. Trypanophobia, or fear of needles, is probably one of the most common anxieties and the mere suggestion of local anesthesia or dental injections is enough to elevate more anxiety.
6. Sensory Overload
Other factors contributing to dental anxiety include what one might view, hear, or smell in a dental office. The noise of the drill, the lights blinding one, and the cold sterilization environment are some factors that make a setting that even becomes too much for people who already have some form of anxiety problems. The whole process is therefore worsened by these stimuli of the senses.
Impact of Dental Anxiety
Not only are the emotional impacts of dental anxiety. Anxiety-related avoidance of the dentist may lead to long-term implications for oral health. Some of the possible impacts of untreated dental anxiety include the following:
1. Poor Oral Health
Poor oral health would be the direct impact of dental anxiety. The risk of developing decay, gum diseases, and other oral diseases would increase because such a person would avoid dental attention for fear. They deteriorate with time when left unchecked; thus, by the time complications arise, it would imply that their future dental treatment would demand expensive services.
2. High Demands for Extensive Dental Procedures
Those patients who fear going to the dentist too often may have a higher chance of requiring treatment in the later stages. For instance, what could have been a cavity that would only require filling can grow into needing a root canal or even an extraction if it has persisted for too long. Mostly, this means more pain and trauma when it cannot be avoided.
3. Psychosomatic Impacts
Dental anxiety can also affect one’s mental health. The feeling of worry and stress at the time of dental visit makes a person helpless, frustrated, and even lead to depression. Gradually, the apprehension about dental treatment is increased, and it would be difficult for people to seek care.
4. Physiological Symptoms
The physical symptoms of dental anxiety can be as paralyzing as the psychological ones. Most patients suffering from dental anxiety manifest lots of physical symptoms, such as palpitations, sweating, dizziness, and dry mouth, to the severe and even syncope if ever. Such symptom will even make the dentist a great trouble to see; the symptoms are even not that easy to live through.
Management of Dental Anxiety
While dental anxiety is true and terrific, there are numerous methods in its control with which people cope up or minimize their anxieties. The next ways are considered as good for the coping of dental anxieties.
1. Talk To Your Dentist
This one is among the most very ideal ways for controlling one’s dental anxiety by conducting an effective, as well as frank talk with his dentist. There would surely be a considerate Dentist in Mt Vernon, NY who could make you feel assured that all your fears shall be put to rest while with him. He/they would explain what would transpire during the visit to him and give you some choice so as to minimize pain on his part; this would therefore not be dauntingly so. Knowing what is going to happen at the dentist calms some of that anxiety of going to the dentist.
2. Try Relaxation Techniques
Amongst the relaxation techniques include deep breathing, meditation, and mindfulness. Deep breathing will help release anxiety even before and during the dentist visit. Through constant practice, your body gets to remain calm even during stressful times. A couple of minutes before the scheduled appointment, take a minute to breathe deeply and get your body relaxed. You would find that this could lower the physical symptoms of your anxiety, such as heart racing or shallow breathing.
3. Sedation Dentistry
Those suffering from very extreme dental anxiety may find sedation dentistry to be a good fit. Sedation dentistry would involve nitrous oxide commonly known as laughing gas. There are also oral sedatives and intravenous sedations to which you can be treated, and you will really feel much more relaxed with these. These are non-toxic and are handed by professionals who have done the same kind of practice a great deal of times. Therefore, it makes the process much more comfortable for someone with anxiety.
4. Gradual Exposure (Desensitization)
The other control measure for dental anxiety is gradual exposure, and sometimes it is referred to as desensitization. The process is gradual exposure to the source of fear in a controlled manner. In this case, for dental anxiety, several visits to the dentist with nothing done would be required. This can gradually desensitize the individual to the source of fear and gradually decrease anxiety levels and make subsequent visits less anxiety provoking over time.
5. Choose a Caring Dentist
The first step towards overcoming dental anxiety is finding a sympathetic, empathetic dentist. A Dentist in Mt Vernon, NY, such as Dr. Amul Patel of Aurora Smiles makes the dental office warm and soothing, helping ease the patient’s anxiety. His staff are dedicated to working with patients to make visits comfortable and anxiety-free. You’ll most likely improve your overall experience, and connect with the dentist by having an willing dentist listen to you and deliver kind treatment.
6. Plan for a convenient time
Choosing the right time for your dental visit can also reduce anxiety. Try scheduling your appointments at times when you’re less likely to feel rushed or stressed, such as in the morning or after a relaxing activity. Avoid booking appointments during periods of personal stress, as this can make the experience even more difficult to manage.
Conclusion
Dental anxiety is a very common condition that can have such an overwhelming effect on an individual’s oral health. However, good news is that once its causes are understood and proper management strategies are put into place, it makes a whole lot of difference. You can overcome your fear and take control of your oral health by being honest with your dentist, practicing relaxation techniques, considering sedation options, and getting help from a compassionate dental professional.
Dr. Amul Patel and his staff at Aurora Smiles will always do their best to make an anxious patient feel comfortable and confident in his visit. And, with proper care, support, and treatment, dental anxiety is pretty conquerable. Therefore, for the best in Dental Treatment in Mt Vernon, NY, get in touch with us today to book an appointment and begin your path toward a healthier, more confident smile in a soothing, stress-free environment.