Want to understand how dental anxiety can get in the way of someone’s ability to get the dental treatment they need for good oral health? Those currently living with any level of anxiety need to take action to address their anxiety to be sure they can get all the dental treatments they need for good oral health.
Very few know what dental anxiety means, and some do not know that it exists. According to Harvard Health, some people are so terrorized by the thought of going to the dentist that they avoid the experience altogether.Some of the more common symptoms of this type of anxiety include a racing heart, sweating, crying, panic attacks, anger, irritability, nervousness, withdrawal, racing thoughts, and an overall feeling of being overwhelmed. In addition, dental anxiety triggers can include hearing a dental drill, thinking about needles, and not fully understanding what will happen during an appointment.
Dental anxiety can stem from a few different reasons, such as experiencing pain during a previous dental appointment, feeling a loss of control during an appointment, and feeling embarrassed due to having a lot of dental problems. While no one wants to experience pain, some people will let the thought of experiencing any dental-related pain overwhelm them. Or they may have experienced a lot of pain during a previous dental appointment, making it so they are now afraid to see a dentist.
A loss of control can also bring about anxiety, as many people need to know what will happen to feel better prepared. In addition, when it comes to embarrassment, those with oral problems, like badly damaged teeth or bad oral hygiene, do not want to be judged, triggering anxiety when thinking about going to the dental office.
Those who experience any level of anxiety can use one or more of these tips to help them cope once it comes time to go to a dental office. Some of the tips require doing things days and even weeks before it is time for them to go to their dental appointment.
Some of the more common tips used that have proven to be helpful include bringing a friend, getting plenty of sleep, listening to music during the appointment, using breathing techniques, and meeting the dental team before the appointment to ask questions and/or get an overall tour.
The tips above are beneficial, making it a good idea for those living with anxiety to try them out to find out which ones will benefit them. Know that our dental team is available when needed.
Request an appointment here: https://ashley1dental.com or call Ashley Family Dental at (713) 405-3499 for an appointment in our Houston office.
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Dental Anxiety in Houston, TX.
Sedation dentistry helps individuals to overcome the fear of dentists. Dental anxiety affects many people and it often prevents them from getting treatments they need when problems develop in their mouths. However, most dental problems do not go away on their own. Treatment is needed to prevent the issue from getting worse, which can result…
When you first get braces on, you might be concerned about what to expect. Although it is not a scary process, you will experience some soreness or pressure. The mechanics are meant to align your teeth together. They do so by slowly adjusting where your teeth need to be to maximize your smile and functionality. While this…
Special needs dentistry for older individuals recognizes the specific requirements of seniors and requires a dentist with extensive experience dealing with special needs patients. Older patients with special needs may need dental treatment in an office with wheelchair access and other comparable amenities considering that the oral health problems caused by the natural aging process…
When undergoing a dental appointment, patients can request an oral cancer screening to know if they are at risk of developing the condition. The screenings are meant to detect early signs of the condition before it reaches a more advanced stage.The 5-year survival rate is at about 50 percent, so it is highly vital to…