Overcoming Dental Anxiety

Tips and tricks for how to cope with worries, fears, and anxiousness about visiting the dentist.

The high-pitched whir of the drill. The rubbery taste of latex gloves. Bright lights shine in your eyes. A stranger or two poking around in your mouth. The sharp pain of a needle in your gums. On top of everything else, paying for your treatment is another worry. These reasons and more are why many Americans fear going to the dentist. If these mental images are the first things that come to mind when you think of the dentist, you probably have some anxiety about dental visits. It’s estimated that 75% of adults in the US fear going to the dentist, and another 5-10% have a dental phobia. Those with a dental phobia have a fear so strong that they avoid the dentist at all costs.

How can we overcome our fear of the dentist? Dental procedures are often painful, invasive and costly. Nothing in that list is a good thing. Fortunately, there definite ways of getting around your fears and coping with your anxieties.

Dentophobia

Dentophobia is the fear of dentists and dental visits. Where does it come from?

• It seems that the vast majority of dentophobia comes from previous bad experiences at the dentist’s office. Often these traumatic experiences were complications from other procedures. Sometimes they were painful experiences, like deep cleaning or root canals.
• Sometimes a dentist’s attitude can be dismissive, or insulting, resulting in a deep dislike of dentists.
• Another reason for dentophobia includes hearing stories from others about bad dental experiences.
• A person who has had traumatic experiences with doctors and hospitals, in general, is also likely to be afraid to visit the dentist.
• Worries about payment can lead to a fear of dentists and other medical practitioners.
• Embarrassment about oral health also gives some dental patients anxiety.
• Uncertainty about cost creates fear and unease.
• Many patients also feel a sense of helplessness with their mouths open in the dental chair. This feeling can be claustrophobic, and make people feel not in control.

Overcoming Your Fear of the Dentist

Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to overcome these fears. Not only can dentists themselves help, but patients can also do their part to cope.

What Patients can do to Cope With their Fears

Communicate

The most important thing a patient can do to ease dental anxiety is to talk with his/her dentist.

• Ask if the procedure will be painful. Find out how painful most people think it is and figures out a way to deal with it. Can you get pain medication or laughing gas? Will you need it? Will there only be a few parts of the procedure that are painful? Knowing when and how strong pain will be makes a huge difference in easing tensions.
• Share your worries. You can communicate your anxiety before the appointment, and the dentist will often try to accommodate you.
• Figure out a way to communicate during the procedure. Let the dentist know when you are in pain or need a break with a hand signal.

Relax

• Practice breathing techniques during the procedure. Slow, deep, steady breathing will keep you relaxed and comfortable. Nervousness tends to make people hold their breath or take shallow breaths. Both decrease oxygen levels and make panic easier. Steady, deep breathing will keep O2 levels high and the patient relaxed.
• Bring some music and headphones. Listening to something you like will help the appointment go by faster. Music also can have a calming effect.

Plan it Out

• Figure out when the most convenient, stress-free time is for your appointment. You don’t want to worry about having to drive somewhere after your appointment while you are still on anesthetics. Schedule your appointment when you have plenty of time to relax afterward and time to prepare before. Weekends and after-work hours are good if possible.
• Figure out how you will pay beforehand. Most people go to the dentist when it is covered by insurance. If you don’t have insurance, there are still options.
  • Students can visit their university’s dental facilities for cheap or school-covered care.
  • Low-cost of free clinics can help those without insurance.
  • Most dental offices can work with patients to help them figure out an amenable payment plan.

What can Dentists do to Alleviate their Patient’s Fears?

Communicate

Communication is a two-way street. Both the patient and the dentist need to communicate to make the visit go well.

• Tell the patient exactly what the procedure entails. This will help the patient answer any questions they might have.
• Be respectful. Do not talk down to a patient. Recognize a patient’s worries and try to take them seriously.
• Communicate beforehand about how a patient should prepare for a visit.

The Dental Office

• Make the dental office inviting and warm. Make it seem like a place where people can relax and even have fun. A sterile medical facility doesn’t make anyone comfortable — it’s even a trope used in horror movies.
  • Play some pleasant music.
  • Employ subtle air fresheners or potpourri. The office should smell clean and fresh, but not sterile.
  • Use an inviting color scheme. All white isn’t a great look and builds anxiety. Cool earth tones make for a better experience.
  • Free goodies don’t hurt either. Adults and children love to look forward to a nice little something after the visit. Everyone can use a travel toothbrush and toothpaste.

Looking for Someone Who Looks out for You?

Josey Lane Dentistry has years of experience and friendly, helpful staff. We do our best to value our clients and make them feel as comfortable as possible. If you’re in the Carrollton Texas area, we’d be happy to help you. We will do our best to make your visit the most pleasant experience possible.