Patients with Dental Fear
Dental Fear Management Belmont WA
Are you afraid to go to the dentist? Is your heart racing, even just by reading about dental fear?
We understand, and we’re here to help!
Like Monday morning feeling and a fear of spiders, dental fear is a very common problem, and it’s something we at Epsom Dental Care do not take lightly.
Whether you have a few minor worries about your routine check-up or you’re feeling overwhelmed about your upcoming dental treatment, we’re here for you.
We’ll listen, and we have several ways to make a trip to the dentist a lot easier on your nerves.
Causes of Dental Fear
There are several reasons some individuals have developed dental fear or phobia over time. But in most cases, it all boils down to the following:
- a traumatic experience from the past
- fear of pain
- fear of injections
- fear of anaesthesia
- loss of control or helplessness
- lack of personal space
- other traumatic experiences, such as abuse
- generalised anxiety, depression or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- the thought that the mouth is a personal area and accessing the mouth is a form of invasion of personal space
- trust issues
- fear of loss of control
- anxiety associated with other conditions, including agoraphobia (fear of being in situations where you feel you can’t escape), claustrophobia (fear of closed spaces), or obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), where there is an obsession around cleanliness
Addressing Dental Fear
There are several ways to address your dental fear. To overcome your fear of seeing a dentist, here are some things you can do:
Exposure therapy: This type of psychotherapy entails gradual exposure to a person, object, or event to eliminate fear and anxiety.
For dental fear, you’ll have to gradually see your dentist until you get used to seeing them have some dental treatments. It may be advisable to start with consultation only.
This will allow you to understand your comfort level with a particular provider and express any anxieties that you may have.
Medication: Certain medications relieve the symptoms of stress and anxiety. They may not necessarily treat your dental fear, but they will take the edge off, thereby allowing you to get your dental treatment in comfort.
More tips: There are a few techniques you can do to ease your stress and worry when seeing your dentist, including visiting the clinic during a less busy time, asking a friend or loved one to accompany you, practising deep breathing and meditation, and even bringing noise-cancelling headphones with music.
Dental Fear Management in Belmont WA
At this point, you now know what dental fear is and how to overcome it.
Be sure to consider all the recommendations above. Always remember that promoting your oral health is essential, and seeing your dentist will make a difference!
Do you have dental fear, even just as simple as getting teeth cleaning? Worry not, as we have a team of highly trained and empathetic dental experts!
For more information, contact your dentist Belmont WA today on (08) 9478 2349 or request your appointment online.
We are located at 5/132 Epsom Ave in Belmont WA.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is dental fear common?
You would be surprised how common dental fear is.
Many people fear the dentist so intense that they can be considered people with dental phobia. So YES, dental fear is way more common than it really needs to be.
Who can suffer from dental fear/anxiety?
Dental fear can affect people of all ages. From children who have unpleasant experiences with dentists in the past and grow to fear dental procedures to adults who have never seen a dentist in their life, anyone can suffer from dental fear, including you.
I am going to see my dentist soon. What are my options?
If you have mild or moderate dental fear, nitrous oxide is a great option to help you feel more relaxed. Inhaled through a nose mask, nitrous oxide quickly induces feelings of detachment and euphoria.
For patients with more acute fear, oral sedation induces a deeper sense of relaxation. Oral sedation, together with nitrous oxide, deepen the relaxation for patients with severe dental fear.