Dental Anxiety?

  • Published
  • By Captain Renee Moran
  • 325th Aerospace Medicine Squadron
TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  Does the thought of going to the dentist make you quiver? Well, you're not alone. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention nearly half of all adults in America skipped going to the dentist in 2009; 15 percent of these Americans admitted their absence was due to fear. That's approximately 30 to 40 million people avoiding necessary care due solely to dental anxiety.

People develop dental anxiety for many different reasons, but there are common themes that tend to emerge when patients are asked what caused their fear. To name a few: fear of pain, feelings of helplessness and loss of control, embarrassment, negative past experiences, and "horror stories" from parents or peers.

These fears, warranted or not, are only causing further problems. When people are stressed they tend to have lower pain thresholds meaning that they feel pain at lower levels than other people. On the extreme level, some individuals avoid going to the dentist altogether, which puts them at high risk for tooth decay, gum disease and early tooth loss which often leads to low levels of self-esteem and other more serious health problems.

What are some ways to alleviate dental anxiety?

Communicate with your dentist. This is the most important. Let them know about your fears and what makes your feel uneasy. This will allow your dentist to adapt their treatment to your specific needs.

Take breaks. If you start to feel anxious or claustrophobic, ask your dentist to take a break to calm down. Sit up or even take a walk around the clinic until you feel you are ready to proceed with your care.

Wear headphones. Not only can you listen to your favorite music to calm your nerves, it will also drown out the sound of dental equipment.

Consider medication. Keep in mind that the anesthetic used in dentistry today is much more effective than it was in the past. But for some patients, an additional medication may be necessary to keep stress levels down. Some examples are nitrous oxide (laughing gas) or, in extreme cases, an oral sedative.

Dentistry has come a long way over the past few decades and patient comfort is now, more than ever, of primary concern to the dentist and his or her team. By seeing a dentist regularly, most dental problems can be caught before they become painful. This will not only save you from more stressful appointments, but it will also save you time, money and the possibility of more serious health problems. So next time you are due for a dental appointment, try one or more of these techniques and relax knowing that your dental team is there to make you as comfortable as possible while your dental needs are met.