Do You Fear Your Dentist?
We all know the drill at the dentist: You wait for your name to be called, you get up and seat yourself in a chair, and then you're faced with some of the most uncomfortable moments of your life.
You might find it hard to believe that people could fear their dentists so much as to avoid going. But interestingly enough, it turns out that some people do! And if this sounds like you or someone you know, we recommend giving this post a read. It'll tell you everything about how dentistry can be scary - but also offer specific strategies for conquering dental fears.
We've also included some great sources about the topic at the end of this article for you to check out.
It's normal to feel a little nervous before going to the dentist. Even if you have a good dentist, you may still be apprehensive about tooth extractions, dental cleanings, and the like. But for some people, these feelings extend beyond anxiety - to downright fear.
This article will explain what causes these feelings in some people and offer some tips for reducing your anxiety. We'll also give you some valuable resources regarding dental fear and phobia that we hope you find helpful!
What's the difference between fear and anxiety?
In this article, we'll primarily be talking about dental phobia: an intense fear of dentists or of being at the dentist's office.
However, some of the strategies may also be useful for anxiety generally. Distinguishing between fear and anxiety can be tough, since both are negative emotions stemming from a perceived threat.
The difference between the two is that fear typically involves a physical response like increased heart rate or sweating to keep you safe from the perceived threat. Anxiety, on the other hand, tends to be a more constant state where your body is already in a heightened state of arousal - even if nothing is threatening you.
Before we get into specific strategies for beating dental phobia, let's first take a look at why certain people develop an unreasonable fear of dentists in the first place.
Why is going to the dentist so scary for some people?
Fear of dentists is most common in children and adults with certain types of anxiety disorders. In fact, the fear is often linked to another phobia. For example, someone may fear going to the dentist because they're afraid of needles (needle phobia). Another person might have a phobia of loud noises, and therefore dislike being in a small room while getting work done on their teeth (claustrophobia).
The list goes on - but you get the idea! Having a legitimate and serious reason to be fearful of your dentist can certainly make it hard to brave that first appointment.
Even if you don't have another phobia that's exacerbating your dental fears, you may still be concerned about issues at the dentist office: What if something goes wrong? What if my pain isn't taken seriously? Etc.
Of course, attacks of anxiety are common in people with dental phobia as well. Not only can these feelings inhibit your ability to keep yourself safe from harm (which is what fear is all about), but it can also make you feel like your life is out of control.
How to deal with dental phobia and anxiety
Let's start by looking at strategies for dealing with anxiety in general. Then we'll move on to specific ways to overcome your dental phobia.
Dealing with anxiety in general
If you're prone to bouts of anxiety - whether from dental phobia or otherwise - there are some simple steps you can take to improve your emotional well-being:
Practice mindfulness. The basic idea behind this strategy is that when you're more aware of the present moment, you're less likely to overreact or get carried away with negative thoughts about the future. Mindfulness strategies can help reduce triggers for generalized anxiety (the kind where nothing specific is upsetting you) and panic attacks as well. One way of practicing mindfulness is through meditation (specifically loving-kindness meditation). This is a very effective strategy that can work on multiple levels to improve your emotional state. It can help you gain a better understanding of yourself and become more self-aware. Work on developing healthy coping skills. As human beings, we often have very ineffective coping strategies for dealing with our emotions. If you're prone to bouts of anxiety, then it's important to make some changes so that you're not as reliant on over-the-counter remedies or other unhealthy behaviors for relief. Here are some suggestions for healthy coping strategies. Recognize that you may have depression. For some people, anxiety and depression are related - so it can be a good idea to solicit a professional opinion as to whether or not you should be taking antidepressant medication.
Dental fears and phobias: How to overcome them
Now that we've looked at how anxiety and phobias relate to dental fear, let's look at the specific strategies by which you can go about beating dental fear.
Strategies for beating dental fear: Staying safe at the dentist's office
You may think that leaving your fearful thoughts behind is enough when it comes to dealing with dental fear. However, you also have to be careful not to sabotage yourself along the way.
For example, if your mind is focused on the thought of you feeling pain, then you're more likely to experience it. If your mind is focused on the thought of your dentist not understanding your health issues, then you're more likely to feel that they aren't taking you seriously.
Here are some strategies for staying safe in the dentist's office:
Focus on your breathing . When anxiety strikes, it's important to focus on what's happening around you - rather than going off in your head and dwelling on thoughts like "This will hurt" or "I can't handle this.etc" Focusing on your breathing is a simple way of practicing mindfulness and getting yourself out of your head. This will help you better deal with anxiety and dental fear in the long run.
. When anxiety strikes, it's important to focus on what's happening around you - rather than going off in your head and dwelling on thoughts like "This will hurt" or "I can't handle this.etc" Focusing on your breathing is a simple way of practicing mindfulness and getting yourself out of your head. This will help you better deal with anxiety and dental fear in the long run. Wear headphones .
Conclusion
Overcoming dental fear isn't easy - but it is possible! If you're suffering from dental phobia, it's important to remember that most people who have a bad experience at the dentist are no longer fearful the next time they go. In fact, many find that their phobia gets better after getting implants or other procedures.
All of our information on anxiety is written from a place of sincerity, hope, and compassion. It's our hope that you'll develop the confidence and tools you need to feel better about yourself and take control of your life.