According to a study by the American Dental Association, 22% of adults in the US suffer from dental anxiety.
Dental anxiety, which is simply being afraid to go to the dentist, can be caused by a whole number of reasons. Some might stem from previous experiences, while others might just build up the idea in their head to an extreme that visiting a dentist seems like an impossible task.
Despite this, it’s really important to practice good dental hygiene, and a big part of that is regularly visiting the dentist.
Do I have dental anxiety?
If you think you might have dental anxiety, there are several tell-tale signs to look out for. Anything from slight nervousness to sickness and insomnia can be a sign of anxiety.
Why do people get dental anxiety?
Common causes of being scared to visit the dentist come from personal experiences or events you’ve heard about. For example, you might’ve had a bad experience at the dentist where communication between dentist and patient was confusing or vague.
Alternatively, it might be as simple as hearing a horror story from someone else. If there’s someone you know who’s had a terrible experience at the dentist, this can easily turn into personal anxiety.
Those that suffer from severe dental anxiety may also struggle with other types of ‘medical anxiety.’ The smell of a hospital might make you nervous enough to avoid doctors’ appointments like the plague, for example.
Another common reason people suffering from fear of dentists is the lack of control you have in the situation. When at an appointment, looking up at a bright white light is all you can do. Dentists speak to their assistant in what feels like code, and you’re not entirely sure what’s going on. This lack of control within the moment can be a real issue for some people.
Lastly, none of the tools dentists use are particularly appealing… Drills, metal picks, and injections are enough to stop anyone from booking an appointment. This whittles down to the fear of potential pain, which can be really overwhelming.
How to overcome dental anxiety
Whether you suffer from dental anxiety or not, it’s still really important to visit the dentist regularly. Thankfully, there are ways in which you can reduce anxiety before arriving or booking your appointments. There are also ways of communicating within the appointment to make you feel more comfortable with procedures and processes.
* Find the right dentist
Biltmore Avenue family dentistry is one of the top dentists in Ashville. The dentists take time to get to know each of their clients and make them feel comfortable. Being a family dentist, they pride themselves on making sure the whole family receives the best service possible – with cheesy grins all round. However, if you reside in Massachusetts, you can check out this dentist in Tewksbury instead.
* Talk to Someone
It is important to identify your fears about why you don’t like going to the dentist, and the best way to do this is by talking to someone. You could talk to a dentist or receptionist about it to see how painful each step will be, so you’re prepared. You could then use hand signals to communicate discomfort during the appointment. Alternatively, talk to a family member and then take them with you to the appointment. This can help you do the hardest step: actually going.
I suffer from dental anxiety. Nevertheless I do make sure to visit my dentist regularly. I am not disappointed with the dentist’s work, but I have not been able to overcome my fear.