Dental Anxiety

Do you feel scared of the dentist, but need treatment? You are not alone. The Dental Association reports that 22 percent of patients experience dental anxiety. If you are like many patients, you undergo some degree of uneasiness when facing the need to visit the dentist. It can be unsettling having someone explore a personal area of your body, such as your mouth, gums, and teeth. For some patients, this nervousness extends beyond being mildly unsettling. Those who experience aggressive forms of dental anxiety may be so panic-stricken by thoughts of visiting the dentist, they avoid it to the point where mild dental issues become severe. When this happens, it can trigger a cascade effect requiring more invasive dental procedures or other repercussions, such as a tooth extraction, root canal, or emergency dental work.

Symptoms of Dental Anxiety

• Upset stomach
• Hot flashes and sweating
• Palpitations and increased heart rate
• Aggressiveness
• Withdrawal
• Low blood pressure and fainting
• Panic attacks
• Difficulty breathing and hyperventilation
• Agitation
• The urge to cry at the thought of going to the dentist
• Difficulty sleeping before dental examinations
• Intense discomfort at the thought of going to the dentist

Fortunately, there are several methods and tools you can use, both in our office and out, to help you figure out how to stay calm before and after your next dental appointment. The more tools you use, the better you will equip yourself to manage your anxiety effectively.

Causes of Dental Anxiety

• Negative experiences from the past
• Feelings of loss of control
• Fear of anesthetics and the side effects they cause
• Trust issues
• Other phobias or conditions
• Fear of injections
• Fear of what dental sounds indicate
• The discomfort of having your personal space invaded

You are unique and you come to the dentist with your individual history. This history shapes your perceptions and fears, and it can profoundly impact your experience, regardless of the dentist. The more you understand what shapes your anxiety, the better you will be able to address it. Patients all over our community fear the dentist for a variety of reasons. Your reason may be one of the ones above, or something else entirely. Take time to assess the probable cause of your anxiety and start addressing those potential causes.