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Dentophobia is a deep fear (phobia) of going to the dentist. The condition is also known as dental anxiety.
Most adults in the United States experience some level of dental anxiety but can still make a visit to the dentist. However, there are some who avoid going for a checkup altogether.
One study estimated approximately 36% of the population is afflicted by dental anxiety, with 75% being adults.
It also found another 12% suffer from extreme dental fear of the dentist.1 Dentophobia affects both sexes but is twice as common in women as in men (4.6% vs 2.7%, respectively).5
Some people develop dentophobia after an unpleasant or traumatic experience at the dentist. This can include:
For example, someone who experiences a perforation of the sinus cavity from a tooth extraction may have anxiety about going to the dentist again.
Various anxiety disorders may also cause dentophobia, such as:
Some symptoms of dental phobia include:
Even though dental anxiety can feel debilitating, skipping out on visits to the dentist can compromise your oral health. Issues like tooth decay, periodontal disease, and oral cancer can become emergencies if not detected early enough.
Fortunately, there are ways to combat dental anxiety. Below are some common treatment options available for dentophobia:
Dentists may use different medications to soothe a person during their visit. These medications include:
They may also prescribe anxiety medications such as Xanax or Valium before a dental procedure.
Some dental practices include psychologists on staff. These psychologists help people manage their dentophobia through behavioral and relaxation techniques.
Common techniques include:
People can also practice some of these behavioral therapy techniques at home.
This treatment approach involves calmly explaining dental procedures as the dentist performs them. The dentist will explain what they're doing in a soothing manner to help people relax in the dental chair.
Once a procedure is done, the dentist may use positive reinforcement to encourage a person and help boost their confidence.
People can often help themselves overcome their fears by doing their research before choosing a general dentist.
If a person believes that they can trust the dentist they choose, they’re likely to feel less afraid. They may even request to meet with the dentist prior to a procedure to make sure that they feel comfortable.
A dentist can prescribe a variety of medications to treat a patient’s anxiety. This is known as sedation dentistry.
They may give the patient a mild sedative like laughing gas along with local or general anesthesia. Medications like Valium and Xanax may also be used.
Xanax may help with dental anxiety in patients. However, it is just one of the ways that dentists can help treat dentophobia in patients.
The biggest concern with avoiding a dental appointment due to anxiety is developing poor dental hygiene. Dental visits are necessary — even for anxious patients — to keep health problems at bay.
While negative experiences in the dentist’s chair can take a toll on someone’s mental health, forgoing dental checkups can take a toll on physical health too.
Avoiding treatment for too long can lead to painful cavities, a root canal, gum disease, and even oral cancer. Talk to the team at your dental practice about how you can overcome your dental anxiety, together, to ensure that you receive the oral care you need.
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