A lot of people feel anxious before going to the dentist. Will they need a crown? Will the dentist find a cavity? Will it hurt? How long will it take? While these concerns are typical, they can become so pressing that you don’t keep your appointment. This article will delve into the most common fears of the dentist that people have.
Phobia and Dental Anxiety
Phobia, or severe dental anxiety, is more common than you may think. As many as 40 million patients are affected. Phobia is not the same as anxiety. Anxiety is a feeling of unease, worry, or nervousness. It doesn’t necessarily stop people from going to the dentist. Phobia, on the other hand, is an irrational and intense fear. People who are phobic are completely terrified of dentists and rarely manage to go.
Symptoms
The main symptom is trouble breathing. These breathing techniques may help. There is also crying, inability to sleep, and feeling tense. The person feels restless or sick. What are the Most Common Fears?
Pain
This fear is very common among older people. Usually, this is because they felt pain at the dentist’s when they were younger. Pain-free dental services did not exist 20 years ago.
Humiliation
Some people are embarrassed if someone looks at their teeth. There can be many reasons for this, including poor dental care or an accident. People feel nervous and anxious about the condition of their teeth.
No Control
You sit in a chair, can’t move, can’t see anything around you, and the dentist is hovering above with full control. The feeling of helplessness begets anxiety like nothing else.
Invasion of Personal Space
The dentist or dental hygienist has to stand or sit really close to you. This makes some patients uncomfortable because they see it as an invasion of their personal space.
Gagging
Some people have a stronger gag reflex than others. They will gag when their dentist touches a certain part of their mouth. The patient starts imagining throwing up and it all goes downhill from there.
Fear of Needles
While this isn’t strictly a dental-related fear, one may avoid going to the dentist because of it. Imagine someone poking you with a needle for half an hour. Often, this fear is related to fear of pain.
Choking
There is a lot of saliva and water in your mouth during a dental procedure. Some people worry about choking on these liquids.
Fear of the Unknown
The greatest fear of all – that of not knowing what’s going to happen next. The fear is especially pronounced if you have never had a procedure like this before.,/
Sharing With Your Dentist
Fears of the dentist prevent people from getting the dental care they need. Share any fear or anxiety with your dentist on Lincoln Ave before scheduling an appointment. A respectful dentist will be willing to discuss your fears and past experiences. Sometimes, it’s enough to just look around the office to assuage fear. Dental sedation is another option. It is the only one if you suffer from a phobia.
Fear of going to the dentist is very common. Some fears are connected to the unknown. Others are based on past experiences. A caring, qualified dental office can help you get beyond or cope with your fears. They will address your concerns adequately. Common fears of the dentist should not stop you from getting the dental care you deserve. Finding a dentist who will help is easier than you may think.