Things to Know About Dental Anxiety

Dental anxiety is as real as the fear of crowds or fear of snakes. The fear, which affects approximately four percent of American adults, can be so intense that it can cause them to avoid dental visits by any means necessary. However, avoiding dental appointments is detrimental to oral health. If you find yourself postponing or avoiding a dental visit, it might help to learn more about the basis of your fear.

What is dental anxiety?

Dentists have many ways of handling dental anxiety. Patients need to be able to share their concerns with the dental professional, including what they are thinking and how they feel. Some people worry about the pain, while for some, it is the strong gag reflex that worsens during dental procedures because of the anxiety.

Dental professionals may administer local anesthesia before starting a dental procedure to reduce pain. However, this only solves one part of the problem, since the entire dental experience is what causes issues for some people. The fear can include everything from losing control and invasion of space to needles, strange noises produced by dental tools, and the smell – all of which can make the patient feel overwhelmed.

The problem is solvable

This condition is significant in that most dental professionals try to devise ways or techniques to keep their patients relatively comfortable and make the experience pleasant. The first and probably the most important part is to choose the right dentist to ensure the entire process goes without a hitch. This includes asking people for recommendations and creating a potential list of dentists that fits the requirement.

A good idea is to visit the dentist for a consultation, discuss possible concerns, and evaluate the dentist’s response. A good dentist will try to ease their patient’s fears and keep them comfortable once they know the issue. They will recommend tips to ensure their patients get the best experience.

Besides the routine administration of local anesthetic, they may also suggest cognitive behavior therapy, a branch of psychology that teaches people to control their thoughts when faced with a situation that triggers anxiety. Patients with dental anxiety will learn every detail about the procedure so they know what to expect – the goal is to ensure nothing strange happens that might trigger fears or anxiety while treatment is ongoing.

Dental anxiety and oral health

As mentioned earlier, unresolved fear of the dentist can cause people to avoid dental appointments. This can cause simple issues that need simple solutions to worsen into serious dental conditions that may require complex and emergency treatment. Called “vicious cycle of dental anxiety,” this condition causes patients to fear treatment’s repercussions so much that they end up undergoing it because fear prevented them from undergoing preventive treatment.

Final note

Most conditions that need complicated procedures are preventable through routine dental checkups and cleanings. Early detection of dental issues means the dentist can provide simpler treatments. If you get nervous at the thought of visiting the dentist, it is advisable to discuss with the dentist how to deal with it.

Request an appointment here: https://sonorandesertdentistry.com or call Sonoran Desert Dentistry at (480) 439-0117 for an appointment in our Scottsdale office.

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