DENTAL ANXIETY

DENTAL ANXIETY Learn how to better prepare yourself for your visit to the dentistDental Anxiety/ fear/ phobia is more common than you might think: up to 90% of patients we see show some degree of dental anxiety.The severity of this fear can vary: it may be anxiety or even, what we would call, a phobia.Severity of Dental Anxiety A fear of going to the dentistA simple fear is fairly normal and can range from nervousness about going to the dentist to being scared of needles.Dental Anxiety Dental anxiety is a bit more than a general fear. One might start worrying about a dentist appointment days ahead, you can’t sleep, and a lot of angst builds up.Dental Phobia A phobia is an unreasonable fear that is clearly visible to a dentist. It can display as whole body shaking and a jittery voice. It’s hard for them to even sit down in the dental chair.What causes dental anxiety? On the scale of dental anxiety and fear, there are a range of causes.Traumatic experiences are right up there, this is often relevant for people later in life, due to past dentistry practices. People have shared stories about being held down with a knee on their chest while going through tooth extractions. Luckily, we have come a long way from there.There are other causes though, some much more subtle.Sitting in a chair, being quite restricted and having someone lean over you can give people a sense of invasion of their personal space and loss of control.Additionally, people find going to the dentist generally unpleasant or they feel embarrassed about what’s going on. People often mention not liking the noises, having trust issues, not liking the thought of unexpected pain or having a general fear of dental equipment.How can you prepare yourself for a positive dental appointment? For anyone that has some level of dental anxiety, it’s important to prepare yourself for your next visit. Your dentist visit isn’t something you should put off for long, as it often results in more lengthy and complicated treatment later down the track.There are a few things you can do to help yourself: 

1. Inform yourself of the treatment required. Knowledge is power.
2. Be prepared by letting your dentist know how you feel  .
3. Know what works for you; headphones, music, meditation are all great ways to keep yourself calm.

Most of all, find a dentist you can trust; do your research by looking online for reviews about their behavior towards past patients.  What your dentist should do if you have dental anxietyWe all know it, that feeling we get when we need to go to the dentist.Perhaps you haven’t been in a while, or you know that you might need something a bit more than a regular clean. For most people, a bit of nerves the day of the appointment is normal. You might feel scared, or even consider cancelling or postponing. When you get there, your hands are clutched together hard and you are not looking forward to sitting down.All those feelings are fairly normal, but what should you do if you feelings about going to a dentist are just that bit stronger. Those feelings might include sleepless nights, noticeable shaking or even anxiety and light panic attacks.  Tips before you go to the dentist In any case, your dentist should aim to work with you rather than on you.Here are some great tips that might help you with making your time at the dentist a bit more comfortable.

• A dentist should let you lead the appointment

This is very important for the first few appointments. Your dentist should give you time to get to know them. Talk about your teeth and general mouth health.

• Have a secret sign

Ok, it doesn’t have to be secret. Just agree on a sign you can make to give your dentist while you can’t talk. It would mean ‘tools down’, taking a sip of water or just having a breather.

• Get comfortable in talking about what’s going on

Talking about what is going on for you is an absolute must. Getting to the root cause of your dental anxiety is the beginning of making things better. If your dentist is not interested in finding out why, they might not be the right dentist for you.

• Make a plan

Making a plan with your dentist will put you in the driver’s seat, rather than a passenger. Take the time to find out what your treatment entails, collaborate on your options and take control of your oral health. Knowing your plan intimately and why you are doing it, gives you more control and confidence.

• Treatment your way

Ask to have your treatment spread over one or two appointments. This way you will only have to worry about visiting the dentist once or twice instead of multiple times.

• Get comfortable

Know what works for you and don’t be afraid to speak up. Some people find the dental chairs incredibly uncomfortable and a lumbar roll can go a long way. It might be too warm or too cold, or you might prefer some music over the dental equipment noise.A great dentist should not only be able but also be happy to discuss any of these ideas. Dental anxiety is more common than you might think and dentists should be well-trained in making you more comfortable.   How to overcome your fear of the dentist  

• If you get anxious at the prospect of going to the dentist, it can mean you neglect your oral health. Although you might maintain a good hygiene routine by brushing twice daily; missing out on regular checkups may mean it’s often too late before you realise you have a problem with your teeth or gums.
• When dental problems strike, even the worst toothache is sometimes not enough motivation to persuade a person with genuine dental phobia to get the help they need. Often, people with a fear of the dentist desperately need dental treatments that they just can’t face getting.

Dental problems will only get worse, so there comes a time when you’ll need to tackle your anxieties face on. But how do you do this when even the thought of walking into a dental clinic sends pangs of dread your way?Here are some proven strategies for helping you overcome your dental phobia.Is It Irrational To Fear the Dentist?It’s easy to write your fears off as being silly or irrational. But they’re not. Your dental phobia will stem from somewhere, and that anxious feeling you’re met with when you think about going to the dentist is your body’s way of protecting you from a perceived danger.You may have had a negative experience at the hands of a dentist at some point in your life. You may have had an illness or accident and you’ve needed uncomfortable treatments. Or, you may have picked up your fears at a young age from family members with phobias.Whatever the cause of your anxiety, your dental phobia is real and is in no way something you should be expected to laugh off or “get over.”Phobias often worsen over time, as will your oral health. In addition to feeling scared, you may also feel ashamed or embarrassed about the condition of your teeth.Find a Dentist Who UnderstandsIt’s important to understand that dentists want to help look after your teeth. That said, some are better than others when dealing with anxious patients. So, how do you find a dentist that you can trust?Dental Phobia is an organisation that provides certification for dentists that are skilled and experienced in helping nervous patients. This handy database of dentists and practices will help you find a Dental Phobia-Certified dentist in your area.The Dental Phobia certification means that a dentist has procedures to help you if you’re scared or anxious. They’ll have the patience and understanding needed to perform routine checkups and treatments in a way that makes you feel safe.Understanding dentist will ask the right questions so they can adapt the way they work and take things at a pace you’re comfortable with.Many Dental Phobia-Certified dentists also offer sedation dentistry to help you feel at ease during treatment.Name Your FearsIf you’ve got dental anxiety, it can be helpful to pinpoint what you’re most frightened of. You may feel anxious about several things. These might include:

• The fear of dental drills or other tools and apparatus
• A general unease in clinical surroundings
• A phobia about not being in control
• Worries about gagging or choking
• Nervousness about experiencing pain

Talk About ItOnce you know what you’re most scared of, tell your dentist what your fears are. If they know what is most likely to trigger anxious feelings or even panic attacks, they can avoid or minimise your exposure to them.Fortunately, modern dentistry is constantly finding new ways to make treatments shorter, simpler, and less painful. If it’s been a few years since your last visit to the dentist, things may have improved, and the issue you’re most worried about might be easier to deal with now.Put a Strategy In PlaceVisiting the dentist when you’ve got dental phobia is a big step. Even with the support of a patient and friendly dentist, you’ll still experience considerable anxiety, and it’s possible you’ll have a panic attack.Nobody knows better than you how you’ll feel. So it’s essential you consider this before your appointment and plan how you’ll calm yourself down if your anxiety does get the better of you.It may help to take someone with you. Choose someone you trust. This could be a friend, family member, or a partner. They can reassure you and support you when needed. Most dentists are happy for nervous patients to take someone into the clinic with them.Speak to your dentist about how you’ll let them know when your anxiety levels have risen. When you’re receiving dental treatment, it’s not always easy to speak. Not only this but when you’re experiencing panic, finding the words to communicate how you’re feeling can also be challenging. Using hand signals is a great way to let your dentist know you need to take a break.Take something with you that you can listen to music on. Streaming your favourite songs while you’re in the chair can help distract you from what’s going on around you.Practice a few breathing and relaxation techniques before your treatment. When you’re feeling anxious or panicked, taking long deep breaths can help calm you down.Similarly, using grounding techniques to help you stay focused and present will help you keep anxious thoughts at bay. Systematically tensing and relaxing the muscles around your body is a great way to shift your attention away from what the dentist is doing.Finally, ask about sedation options. Many dentists offer a range of sedation. When sedated, you’ll remain conscious; however, you won’t feel a thing – and you won’t be anxious or scared. Having a positive experience under sedation can help minimise worries about future appointments.Sedation will make you feel drowsy, so always ensure you’ve got someone with you that can take you home after your appointment.How to Fight Your Dental PhobiaDental phobia isn’t something that should be brushed off lightly. Unfortunately, anxieties surrounding dental checkups and treatments can cause severe health issues. It’s important to take steps to overcome your fears.