If you fear going to the dentist, you are not alone. Around 20% of people avoid going to the dentist because of anxiety or fear.
What is dental anxiety?
Dental anxiety affects people of any age and if the feeling of uneasiness every time a person thinks of dental procedures or when they visit the dental surgery. Such anxiety stops people from visiting the dentist regularly and in some cases may mean some people never see a dentist. Other people, who force themselves to visit the dental office, may feel their anxiety by being nauseous while they are in the waiting room or by not sleeping the night before their dental appointment.
What causes dental anxiety?
There are many reasons why some people have dental phobia and anxiety. Some of the common reasons include:
Fear of pain – Fear of pain is a very common reason for avoiding the dentist. This fear usually stems from an early dental experience that was unpleasant or painful or from other people telling horror stories.
Fear of injections – Many people are terrified of needles or are concerned that the injection will not work.
Feelings of helplessness and loss of control – Many people do not like to give control to someone else.
Embarrassment and loss of personal space – Many people feel uncomfortable about the physical closeness of the dentist or hygienist to their face. Others may feel self-conscious about the appearance of their teeth or possible mouth odours.
How can I cope with dental anxiety?
Just know that you are not alone in feeling nervous before coming to the dentist. As a team we come across many people that fear dental procedures, on a daily basis. Fortunately, there are a number of ways we can help you ease your anxiety and cope with it.
- Talk to your dentist – Let your dentist know about your anxiety.
- Distract yourself – Try to take your mind off your treatment. You can play with a small object such as a fidget spinner, squeeze a stress ball, imagine a happy place, or listen to music on your headphones.
- Relax your mind – Some of the best mindfulness techniques include meditation and counting your breaths during the whole procedure.