Reasons Why People are Afraid of the Dentist
- Fear of Pain. Many times people believe the procedure will be just as painful as their toothache. It makes them anxious,...
- Lack of Control. Sitting back in a chair, unable to move, while someone pokes around in your mouth – for some people,...
- Previous Bad Experiences. One bad dental procedure can cause fear for years. It may...
How to overcome your fear of the dentist?
What you can do to minimize or eliminate a fear of the dentist:
- Talk to people you know about their dentists to find one who is sympathetic. ...
- Seek distraction while in the dentist’s chair. ...
- Try relaxation techniques like controlled breathing — take a big breath, hold it, and let it out very slowly, like you are a leaky tire. ...
Why do so many people fear going to the dentist?
“Many people fear the dentist because when they were children, they were told to not be afraid,” says Dr. Gross. “This actually instilled fear that has lasted many years.
Why the fear of Dentists is so common?
Why the Fear of Dentists Is so Common
- Types. Dentophobia can be divided into numerous elements. ...
- Complications. Whether due to genetics or behavior, dental health varies dramatically from person to person. ...
- Coping. If your dentophobia is severe and paralyzing, it is best to consult with a trained mental health professional before beginning dental treatment.
What phobia is the fear of dentists?
- Type 1: simple conditioned phobia—fear of dental procedures
- Type 2: fear of catastrophe—anxiety about somatic reactions during dental treatment, e.g. fainting, panic attack, heart attack
- Type 3: Generalized anxiety—nervous person in general
- Type 4: distrust of dentists—fear of the dentist
Is there any reason to be scared of the dentist?
If that fear happens to be of the dentist your oral health can seriously suffer as a result. A fear of the dentist could stem from previous bad experiences or maybe your fear stems from panic or worry that your treatment will cause you pain.
What do you fear most about dentistry?
Gagging. Some people have a stronger gag reflex than others. They will gag when their dentist touches a certain part of their mouth. The patient starts imagining throwing up and it all goes downhill from there.
What are people afraid of the dentist?
Here are the top five reasons people are afraid of going to the dentist:Misinformation. Many people fear the dentist due to common misconceptions. ... Past Experiences. Negative experiences in our past can make us fearful of anything. ... Fear of the Needle. ... Fear of the Sounds. ... General Anxiety.
How common is dental anxiety?
Fear of the dentist is incredibly common, with surveys estimating that it affects 13% to 24% of people around the world. For many people, dental anxiety is disturbing but not disabling.
Why did the Dutch put off going to the dentist?
In fact, the Dutch put off going to the dentist simply because their fear correlates closely with other common phobias, including fear of snakes, heights, and physical trauma .
What does it mean to lie back in a dental chair?
Perceived loss of control. Lying back in the dental chair is the ultimate loss of control – at least for those who prefer to stay away from the dentist. To help overcome this fear (real or imagined), ask your dentist to adjust the chair or provide extra support for more comfort. Checkered dental history. It could be a particularly painful ...
Can dental patients breathe?
Breathing issues. Some dental patients experience breathing problems, especially during extended dental procedures. This can produce feelings of claustrophobia and related anxiety. Everything from nitrous oxide to other breathing aids can put breathing issues (not quite literally) to bed.
How to deal with fear of dentist?
You’re not alone if you’re fearful or anxious about going to the dentist. A lot of people are. The best way to deal with it is to talk to your dentist. If you have a dentist who won’t listen or help, it may be time to find a dental office who will. When you let your dentist know that you’re afraid, they can work with you to reduce your fears and give you the oral care you need for a healthy mouth and healthy life.
Can bad experiences stay with you?
During childhood, bad experiences can stay with us even when we’ve forgotten about them. It’s understandable that you might not want to go to see a dentist if you had a bad visit when you were younger. This is especially true if you were already a little nervous before the appointment or procedure.
Why do people fear going to the dentist?
The most prominent, not to mention the most valid reason that going to the dentist strikes fear into would-be patients’ heart is the potential for pain. People are more likely to remember experiences that involve pain than positive memories.
How to calm down anxiety during a procedure?
Breathing exercises. Taking deep breaths before a procedure can calm the patient down and prevent further anxiety during the visit. Guided imagery and the playback of calming sounds may also be used to supplement these breathing techniques.
Can humans be sensory overload?
Humans can suffer from sensory overload, much like how your canine companion is likely stressed by the fireworks on New Year’s Day. Whether you’re a child or an adult, there’s always a chance of this occurring.
Is dental anxiety a shame?
Dental anxiety is something that 36% of the population goes through, so it’s certainly nothing to be ashamed of. Having an honest talk with your dentist will make it easier for them to give you the best care.
3. Fear of the Needle
Many adults and children are fearful of needles. This fear can be significantly heightened when the needle is going inside your mouth.
4. Fear of the Sounds
When you walk into a dentist’s office, you often hear many sounds, such as drills, beeping, and sometimes even kids crying.
5. General Anxiety
Patients who suffer from generalized anxiety disorder may have a harder time at the dentist than others. These people may benefit from bringing someone with them to the appointment to keep them calm or undergoing sedation dentistry.
Interested in Learning More?
To learn more about managing your dental anxiety or making an appointment, please call Gentle Care Dentistry in Las Cruces, New Mexico, at (575) 524-3722 or fill out our online contact form.
Why do I get nervous when I go to the dentist?
Dental phobia or dentophobia is the fear of dentists and is common because it is related to fear of doctors and fear of needles. In simple terms, dentophobia is the fear of going or visiting the dentist. While it is true that many patients get slightly nervous when it comes to visiting the dentist, dentophobia is a different situation.
What is dental anxiety?
Dental anxiety, as defined by Isador Coriat, who first adopted the term, is an ‘excessive dread of anything being done to the teeth with the result that any dental surgery, no matter how minor, or even dental prophylaxis, maybe so postponed or procrastinated that the inroads of the disease may affect the entire dental apparatus.’
What happens if you have dentophobia?
If the sufferer has had a previous experience that was particularly painful, levels of tension, anxiety and overthinking can increase. It’s especially pertinent if the dentophobe, or the person experiencing dentophobia, had a negative experience on their very first trip to the dentist.
Why do people have trypanophobia?
Trypanophobia – the irrational fear of needles. It’s most typical in children because adults tend to grow out of this phobia as their pain thresholds get higher. But some people do continue with trypanophobia as they become older and it is detrimental to their health.
What percentage of people have dental anxiety?
Based on a study last 2014, around 36% of our population are suffering from dental anxiety and another 12% are suffering from extreme dental fear. This can have a serious effect on a person’s oral health and can cause them to have a dental avoidance. Dental avoidance means fully avoiding dental check-ups or anything related to dentists ...
What is the fear of doctors?
Iatrophobia – the fear of doctors. this will be further generalised to when enormous amounts of hysteria occur when dealing with any kind of medical professional (including dentists). It is another phobia that can be hugely damaging to a person’s well being and may end in them missing/postponing crucial treatment.
What is the fear of being touched?
Aphenphosmphobia – the fear of being touched. this can be only intensified when it’s by another individual that the sufferer isn’t close to/comfortable with. Aside from having a harmful effect on building intimate relationships, it’s known to be especially traumatic with members of the opposite sex. Genetics.
Why are you afraid of dentists?
Dentophobia is a very common fear. But why is it so common? Obviously, there is the pain factor. But surely that cannot be the sole reason. In fact, when you talk to people who are dental phobic – their irrational fears are thoroughly diverse: they cover everything from a fear of choking to a fear of waking up during anaesthesia!
Where does the fear begin?
For many people, fear of the dentist begins with a painful childhood experience, often going back many years. It isn’t surprising when you think about it. As a child, we often need fillings or extractions. But the dentist is far more likely to explain to your parents what he is about to do, rather than give you the gory detail.
So what has changed?
Many people who suffer from dental phobias simply choose not to go to the dentist. It is the only realistic choice they have. However, by not going to the dentist, they lose sight of just how much dental practices have changed and developed since their childhood. There are many ways now in which dental surgeries are far more customer-oriented.
Are women more afraid than men?
Statistics show that more women suffer from phobias than men. Similarly, a piece of research produced by the University of Toronto showed that more women than men were afraid of the dentist.
