Almost everybody has experienced some degree of anxiety when it comes to visiting the dentist. However, for those who suffer from dental phobia, the fear can be debilitating. Dental phobia can be defined as an intense fear or anxiety in response to any type of dental treatment. It’s estimated that between 9 and 15 percent of Americans have this type of phobia.
We’ll discuss what causes dental phobia, what features are associated with it, and effective treatments for managing or eliminating this fear. We’ll also look at how a dentist can create a comforting environment to help anxious patients feel more relaxed during their visit.
What Causes Dental Phobia?
There are many possible factors that can lead to dental phobia. Some people are more likely to develop this condition due to character traits or personal experiences they may have had in the past related to dentistry. Other individuals may simply have a fear of needles or medical procedures in general that contributes to their dental phobia.
Common Features Of Dental Phobia
The most common symptom associated with dental phobia is intense fear and anxiety when faced with the prospect of receiving any kind of dental care – even routine check-ups and cleanings. People with dental phobia might also experience physical symptoms such as sweating, shaking, dizziness, nausea, or chest pain in anticipation of a visit to the dentist’s office. These physical reactions can actually worsen over time if not treated properly.
Other features related to dental phobia include avoiding regular visits to the dentist altogether, having difficulty finding comfort during treatment sessions (even when taking sedatives), and feeling embarrassed about one’s condition which can cause further isolation from seeking out help from a professional. All these factors should be taken into consideration when trying to address someone’s underlying issues related to their fear of dentists or oral health treatments.
Treatments For Dental Phobias
Fortunately, there are many treatment options available for people suffering from extreme fear or anxiety surrounding dentistry appointments or procedures. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is often recommended as an initial step in helping someone overcome their fears associated with going to the dentist by identifying patterns of behavior that could be contributing to developing stronger feelings of anxiety surrounding visits and treatments at the dentist office. This type of therapy helps work on changing negative thought patterns into more productive ones while facing challenging situations like visiting a new dentist office, for example.
Another type of treatment option is hypnotherapy which involves using hypnosis techniques such as guided imagery and visualization exercises encouraging relaxation along with positive affirmations in order for them better manage their responses towards certain stimuli related specifically toward dentistry appointments and/or procedures.
Desensitization therapy involves exposure therapy designed around gradually introducing different stimulus scenarios such as sitting in the waiting room while increasing levels of comfort until they are ready for treatments. This form of therapy typically includes some sort of reinforcement system where rewards are given after each step accomplished until reaching full desensitization status then maintaining normalcy through regular check ups afterwards.
A holistic approach which combines both pharmacological methods such medicinal interventions like benzodiazepines combined alongside psychological approaches such as the ones mentioned above have been proven very effective in treating severe cases where traditional forms alone did not produce results.
Most importantly a patient must find an understanding and compassionate practitioner who takes their concerns seriously no matter how small they might seem. Establishing trust between both parties creates a safe space, allowing one to feel comfortable enough express their concerns so that both sides working together may come up with a tailored plan made just for them rather than trying to fit a square peg in a round hole which could lead to frustration all around. A dentist’s office should always strive to provide a calming atmosphere, making sure staff members remain friendly and supportive throughout the patient’s journey.
