Most people fear visiting a dentist, but in some cases, this feeling is so intense that it influences avoiding dental visits. The term used to refer to severe dental anxiety is dentophobia or dental phobia. It is vital to identify the cause of dental fear and find ways to overcome it to prevent harmful effects on oral health. Splendid Dental Atascocita offers sedation dentistry services that can lessen the fear and anxiety of undertaking various procedures.
What Causes Dentophobia?
The most significant cause of dental fear is associating visiting a dentist with past distressing experiences. For instance, experiencing pain during a procedure or complications afterward is likely to trigger it. In some cases, the phobia can arise from a bad interaction with a dentist that may make a patient feel disregarded. Some of these interactions include ignoring a patient’s choices and failing to use enough anesthetic.
Lack of control during dental exams can cause anxiety, especially for those with a history of abuse. Some people also tend to feel uncomfortable when around doctors or smells related to hospitals. Another common cause of dentophobia, especially in children, is hearing about bad dental experiences.
Tips for Overcoming Dentophobia
The most vital stage in dealing with dental phobia is admitting that it is a problem and avoiding making excuses not to see a dentist. This step often involves identifying the exact cause of the anxiety and developing ways to deal with it. A dentist can help patients reduce dental phobia by using anesthesia during dental practices. They may also engage the patient in a conversation to take their mind off the ongoing dental procedures.
Relaxation methods such as meditating and taking deep breaths can reduce heart rate, lower blood pressure, and relax muscles. Hence, practicing them before a session can reduce tension and anxiety. The sounds made by suction tubes, scaping tools, and drills can cause a lot of discomfort during dental procedures. So, most dentists offer television programs and movies in their offices to distract their patients when using these tools. They may also allow one to listen to music or use earplugs to block disturbing sounds. Other ideas for reducing dentophobia include:
- Bringing a loved one along during appointments
- Learning more about general dental procedures
- Informing a dentist about the fear
- Visiting a dentist regularly
Professional Help for Dentophobia
There is a wide range of treatment options for dental fear, ranging from medication to behavioral methods. For example, some clinics work with therapists to help their patients deal with anxiety. The therapist may ask some questions to identify fear triggers and causes, then develop ways to help fight it. They may also use many methods to help patients deal with the phobia, such as exposing them to the objects they fear, like drills.
Sedation dentistry is also an effective way to prevent pain and discomfort during a dental session. This treatment is ideal for fighting dental phobia and beneficial to people with sensitive teeth and bad gag reflexes. Learning more about dental practices and the tools used in performing them can reduce dentophobia. So, dentists often explain the uses of various tools and describe the steps followed during treatment to relieve tension.
Get Sedation Dentistry Services at Splendid Dental Atascocita
Dentophobia can prevent you from seeking the services you need for good oral health. At Splendid Dental Atascocita, we offer sedation dentistry services to help you feel comfortable during sessions. We offer sedation options like intravenous anesthesia, oral tablets, and laughing gas. Our specialists are also gentle with patients, which helps in reducing anxiety. Reach out to Splendid Dental in Atascocita at 713-244-7790 to schedule a comprehensive dentistry appointment.