Dental Anxiety is a common problem for many people.

If you are anxious about going to the dentist, you are not alone. However, if you are anxious about the dentist, you are probably not alone.

People often get nervous when visiting the dentist. The fear can cause pain, discomfort, stress and anxiety.

But, you can take some steps to overcome your anxiety. One way to do this is to make a list of the things you are most afraid of and then deal with them one at a time. Another way to overcome your anxiety is to contact your dentist and ask for help.

Dental anxiety is estimated to affect approximately 36% of the population.

A further 12% of people suffer from extreme dental fear.

Anxiety, or fear, is defined as a combination of physical and emotional responses that occur when something scares us. Dental anxiety, also called dental phobia, is a form of anxiety that people experience around dental care. This may include any part of the process such as having a tooth pulled, visiting the dentist, receiving dental treatment, or even thinking about the procedure. The fear of dental care is a common problem among people of all ages, and it is believed to affect approximately 20% of the world’s population. In fact, many people consider dental care to be the most feared medical treatment, even worse than going to the doctor. It is also ranked as the #2 reason people avoid seeing the dentist.

So what causes such a fear of the dentist?

Causes of dental anxiety and dental phobia

Dental anxiety is the fear or dread of going to the dentist. If you have ever been to the dentist or if you currently suffer from this condition, you know that it is quite an ordeal.

There are many causes of dental anxiety, including a past negative experience at the dentist, a fear of pain, and simply not knowing what is going to happen next and the situation feels out of your control.

Dental anxiety, a common fear of dentists, is characterized by symptoms such as muscle tension, rapid heartbeat, dry mouth, and sweating.

Some people can experience a form of dental anxiety without any reason. This is referred to as dental phobia. While dental anxiety and phobia are usually treated the same way, there is a difference between the two.

With anxiety, the person knows that the dental situation is causing the discomfort. But with dental phobia, the patient feels overwhelmed with anxiety and feels helpless in the face of this fear.

Coping with severe dental anxiety and phobia

Most people can live with a little dental anxiety and a mild phobia. But if the problem is extreme, the stakes can become very high.

The first thing you need to do if you suffer from this condition is to see a dentist for help. If you don’t feel comfortable talking to the dentist, find a doctor who will make the first appointment for you.

Start reading about the various ways in which you can overcome your fear. Don’t expect to feel better in just a few visits, but it is possible to reduce the frequency and intensity of your anxiety attacks, and eventually end up feeling no different than someone who doesn’t suffer from dental phobia.

Keep an eye out for triggers that might bring you back to the fear.  Triggers can vary from person to person, but may include things like a specific smell, seeing a specific person, or hearing a specific sound. Once you identify a trigger, be mindful of how it affects you emotionally and try to avoid situations or stimuli that might bring you back to the fear.

Practice relaxation techniques regularly to help with stress. There are many relaxation techniques that can help manage stress and dental anxiety. Some popular techniques include meditation, deep breathing, yoga, and aromatherapy. Try to find a technique that works for you and practice regularly to improve your overall stress management skills.

Visit your dentist more regularly. Like any fear, once you acknowledge the fear, while you may never totally be free of fear, by encountering the same issue more regularly helps you to be prepared and feel a little more at ease.

You’ll also get to know your dentist better, and vice-versa. Your dentist will start to see the signs that might trigger you and try and avoid them if possible.

In conclusion, if you suffer regular dental anxiety, talk to your demtist directly. They have experience in this area and can help put you at ease, or even suggest a solution you can try that will help you feel at ease next time you have a dentist appointment.

Bright Smiles have a friendly team of dental staff that are happy to discuss any issues and ensure your dental treatment is one you’ll enjoy as much as possible.