Our Tips on Dealing With Dental Anxiety at the Dentist

Regular visits to the dentist are important for maintaining healthy teeth, gums, and overall well-being. Oral health is closely linked to physical health and mental health. For example, ensuring your body gets the right nutrients starts at the mouth.

So, any disruptions to oral health can impact diet and the well-being of the rest of your body. Damaged or missing teeth can also impact self-esteem and emotional well-being. Visiting a dentist isn’t always easy, though, especially for those suffering from dental anxiety.

Dental anxiety is a common condition, impacting as many as 36% of the population, with a further 12% suffering from extreme dental fear. This anxiety can have a severe impact on oral health, as it can deter them from going to see a dentist for regular check-ups and dental emergencies.

This condition is also sometimes referred to as dental avoidance. Reports show that high levels of dental anxiety can also impact a person’s quality of life. 

Why Do People Feel Anxious About Visiting The Dentist?

Anyone can be affected by dental anxiety, and there is no specific cause—a variety of factors can contribute to developing dental anxiety, and it will differ depending on the individual. Below, we’ve outlined a few common causes or contributors to developing anxiety.

• A traumatic experience at the dentist or other healthcare professionals can cause dental anxiety.
• Previous trauma related to the head or mouth area could contribute to developing anxiety.
• Other traumatic experiences, such as abuse, could contribute to developing a fear of the dentist.
• If someone already has a pre-existing generalised anxiety disorder, depression, or post-traumatic, it can cause a fear of visiting the dentist.
• If an individual views the mouth as a personal area, they may find dental procedures and check-ups invasive.
• Other anxiety disorders outside of generalised anxiety could also contribute to fear of the dentist. For example, this includes agoraphobia (fear of being in situations where you can’t escape) or claustrophobia (fear of closed spaces).

Other factors, like trust issues and a fear of loss of control, can also contribute to an individual’s anxiety about going to the dentist. Going to the dentist also has a lot of stigma, which can contribute to anxiety.

For instance, going to the dentist is portrayed as scary, especially in children’s shows. This is typically reinforced by animations misusing drills and portraying them as dental equipment, which isn’t true. If a child is exposed to that imagery, it could cause a fear of the dentist.

Tips On Dealing With Dental Anxiety

If you’re looking for tips on how to ease dental anxiety, there are many methods to manage dental anxiety or a phobia. Also, if you do experience anxiety, it is important to let the dentist know beforehand. If there are any triggers, the dentist can work with you to avoid them. Below, we’ve outlined coping techniques for anxiety and phobias.

• Deep breathing techniques can help reduce stress and anxiety, including dental visits.
• Meditation techniques can help regulate emotions, lowering anxiety, and induce a calmer state of mind.
• Distractions, like listening to music or using a device (like a smartphone), can help an individual take their mind off their dental procedure/visit.
• Safe words or signals can also be helpful. Speak with your dentist beforehand and set up signals for when things become too stressful or anxiety-inducing so you can take breaks during treatment(s).
• Happy gas or laughing gas, also known as nitrous oxide, is usually provided at dental clinics and can be used to relieve anxiety. During the procedure, a mask is fitted to the patient’s face to administer the gas, which helps with relaxation.
• Anxiety medication, like temazepam, can sometimes be prescribed by a doctor or dentist for short-term anxiety relief.
  

If you ever find that your anxiety or phobia is getting too severe, it’s possible to get a referral to a psychologist for help. Short, targeted therapies, like cognitive behavioural therapy, can be effective.

Why It’s Important To Visit A Dentist

Regular visits to the dentist are crucial for maintaining oral health, preventing teeth or jaw-related issues, and treating if necessary. Oral health is also closely linked to overall well-being.

Preventative Care

Through regular check-ups, dentists can help prevent common oral issues like cavities, gum disease, and enamel wear. They can also help detect oral health issues early, preventing them from becoming more serious.

Professional Cleaning

Good oral health hygiene, including regular brushing and cleaning, is essential. However, even with good hygiene, plaque and tartar can build up in hard-to-reach areas of the mouth. That’s why professional cleaning at the dentist is important to remove plaque and reduce the risk of oral health conditions like gum disease.

Personalised Advice

Teeth and mouth are unique to every individual. A dentist can assess your dental history and mouth to provide personalised advice on the best oral hygiene practices and dietary habits to suit your needs.

Overall Health

The teeth and jaw are closely linked to overall health. For instance, gum disease and heart disease can increase the risk of heart disease, strokes, and other cardiovascular conditions. Bacteria from infected gums can enter the bloodstream, causing a range of issues.

Oral health and physical health is also a two-way street. For instance, people with diabetes are more prone to oral health conditions, like gum disease. This is because diabetes can reduce an individual’s ability to fight off infections. Conversely, severe oral health conditions, like gum disease can make it harder to regulate blood sugar levels, worsening diabetes.

Poor oral health can also cause digestive issues, impact bone health, and more. Dental problems can also contribute greatly to mental health problems and stress. So, maintaining good oral health through visits to the dentist is crucial for overall well-being.

Ease Your Dental Anxiety With Admire Dentistry

At Admire Dentistry, we understand that visiting a dentist can be daunting. That’s why our team strives to make our clinic as comfortable and welcoming as possible. If you feel anxious about your visit or require any accommodations, contact us and let our team know beforehand. We’ll do our best to be as accommodating as possible.

Admire Dentistry has locations in Arana Hills and Samford Village. Our dental services range from general dentistry to cosmetic procedures and preventative care. This includes comprehensive check-ups and cleaning services. For first-time patients, a comprehensive check-up will take 40 minutes and include a thorough oral examination and reviewing dental history.

At Admire Dentistry, we’ve also invested in the latest technology for our services and procedures to ensure your dental experience is as effortless and pain-free as possible. Our services are ideal for those looking for a dental anxiety dentist.

For instance, instead of syringe injections for local anaesthetic, we offer an alternative called “the wand”. The wand’s design is less confronting than a needle and ensures the local anaesthetic is applied slowly and steadily, increasing comfort and reducing pain.

At Admire Dentistry, patients also have the option for happy gas (nitrous oxide). This colourless and odourless gas, combined with oxygen can help ease anxiety and manage pain.

If you have any questions regarding our pain-free technology options and procedures, get in touch with our staff with your queries. We’d love to hear from you.