Easing Anxiety: Why Am I Afraid of the Dentist?

October is just around the corner, meaning it’s the perfect time of year to set up spooky scares for family and friends. Unfortunately, one fear shared by an estimated 36% of people in the United States is visiting the dentist. You’re not alone if you’re nervous about undergoing an upcoming procedure or attending a standard checkup. However, if you’re too scared, you might avoid your appointment, which can harm your oral health.

Understanding why you’re worried might help ease your frayed nerves. Continue reading to learn more about this phobia and why it might happen so you can leave your concerns behind you!

What Is Dental Anxiety?

If you experience stress, unease, or fear associated with a dental setting that results in delayed treatments, you might be suffering from dental anxiety. This condition can cause one or several of the following symptoms:

• Racing heartbeat (tachycardia) or palpitations.
• Sweating or clamminess.
• Low blood pressure and potential fainting.
• Visible distress, crying, or other signs of panic.
• Withdrawing from the situation.
• Masking apprehension with humor or aggression.

If your phobia is so extreme that you avoid smile-saving treatments, then your anxiety can also result in worsening cavities, gum disease, or other oral concerns.

What Causes Dental Anxiety?

There’s no one cause behind being afraid of the dentist because it can depend on your unique circumstances, history, and experiences in life. You might have developed this worry if you have had:

• Generalized anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder.
• A traumatic dental or other healthcare experience in the past.
• Previous injuries to the head or neck.
• Other adverse experiences, including abuse.
• A fear of a loss of control.
• Trust issues.
• Extreme phobias that might be triggered including claustrophobia (fear of enclosed spaces), agoraphobia (fear of situations you cannot escape), or obsessive compulsive disorder.

How Can I Overcome Dental Anxiety?

Fortunately, there’s a good chance that you’re not the first patient with this worry that your dentist has treated, and you likely won’t be the last. Many providers offer sedatives like nitrous oxide (laughing gas) to help you feel calm and relaxed throughout your visit. This medication is administered through a mask placed over your nose while your provider works. It wears off within moments of removing the mask, and typically, there are no adverse side effects.

You can also try guided breathing or meditation or bring headphones and an electronic device to listen to music or a podcast during your appointment.

Now that you know a few ways to overcome your panic, you won’t have to dread your next dental visit!

About the Author

Dr. Jeffrey F. Herman has nearly 30 years of experience helping people of all ages improve their lives by enhancing their oral health. He earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery at the OU College of Dentistry in Oklahoma and is dedicated to continuing educational courses to stay abreast of the latest dental techniques. He enjoys building a lasting relationship with his patients so that he can quickly devise fully individualized solutions to meet your unique dental needs and goals. Then, he uses state-of-the-art technology to help you feel comfortable while providing accurate results. If you’re interested in sedation dentistry, you can request an appointment on the website or call (405) 584-6088.