Solutions to dental anxiety come in many forms. When left untreated, many dental problems only get worse. We can help empower patients with dental anxiety to take the necessary action to treat their underlying conditions.
Solutions to dental anxiety are available at Bliss Family Dental in Hayward and the surrounding area. Fear should never get in the way of your health. Call us at (510) 460-1064 to learn more and schedule an appointment today.
Dental anxiety, also known as dental phobia, is a condition in which patients have a debilitating fear of the dentist. People with dental anxiety are aware that their fear is irrational, but have little to no means of managing it. They may be so panic-stricken by the prospect of seeing the dentist that they will only go when forced by extreme pain. Other common signs of dental anxiety include:
At times, dental anxiety may get severe enough to be considered pathological. Patients who find that their dental anxiety severely impedes their normal functioning may benefit from psychiatric treatment.
Mindfulness techniques can also help. Patients may want to try breathing exercises or doing body scans while in the dentist’s chair. Others may benefit from distracting themselves by doing things like wearing headphones or occupying their hands.
Additionally, patients should let the dentist know if they are particularly sensitive to pain, even with local anesthesia. There is no need for patients to feel embarrassed about asking questions or being open about their fear. This is the only way to develop a truly individualized plan to attack one’s dental anxiety.
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Some patients with more severe dental anxiety may require more intensive management measures. These include:
Not all forms of sedation are appropriate for everyone or every dental procedure. Our qualified team works closely with our patients to take the proper measures to provide the most comfortable experience possible.
It is not uncommon for parents to experience dental anxiety on their child’s behalf. Parents should maintain a calm exterior as children will pick up on any anxiety displayed by their parents. Parents should refrain from telling their children that something will hurt or be painful, nor should they promise a reward for going to the dentist. Doing so will only cause children to anticipate something unpleasant and act accordingly. While parents should tell their children about any upcoming dental appointments, they should not overload their child with too much detail about what to expect. Dentists have received the training to give simple, non-threatening answers. Parents should prioritize stressing the importance of dental hygiene to their children instead.
A. The term “dental anxiety” is most commonly interchanged with “dental phobia.” However, other synonymous terms include dentophobia, dental fear, fear of dentists, and odontophobia. These words all refer to the same phenomenon.
A. Putting off necessary dental treatments can be detrimental to your overall health. Patients who refrain from going to the dentist due to dental anxiety are more likely to develop gum disease and lose teeth. These, in turn, may lead to a decrease in self-esteem and negatively affect one’s overall quality of life.
A. Continued exposure and positive experiences with the dentist should lessen your dental anxiety over time. Depending on the severity of your condition, you may also benefit from seeking psychiatric help for your phobia at another facility along with the dental treatment tailored to your needs.
