Dental phobia is an incredibly common affliction that affects many different people. Understanding the signs that you have dental anxiety or phobia can go a long way toward improving your comfort and ensuring that you visit the dentist as required. One of the major issues with dental phobia is that it causes people to avoid dental visits, which can lead to substantial issues. It is important to know the signs that you are experiencing dental phobia so that you can take the steps to manage your fear.
Top Signs of Dental Phobia
There are many signs that are related to dental phobia. Understanding the various signs will allow you to make the adjustments necessary to protect your oral health. Here are some of the top signs of dental phobia.
Difficulty Sleeping
Many people with dental phobia have difficulty sleeping the night prior to their dental exam. This may even occur several nights prior to the exam. Pay attention if you find yourself unable to sleep and filled with worried thoughts about your upcoming dental visit. If this is the case, it is highly likely that you are experiencing signs of dental phobia.
Trouble Breathing
It is extremely common for individuals experiencing dental fear to have trouble breathing. They will lightly feel a slight constricting of their chest and may feel like they aren’t getting quite enough air. Trouble breathing is an incredibly common sign that you are experiencing dental anxiety.
Physically Sick Feelings
Dental visits can cause some people to feel physically ill when they attend them. This is often a sign of extreme anxiety. These feelings may arise when you think about your dental exams or the moment you enter the waiting room. Pay attention to how your feelings change when you are thinking about dental exams.
Avoiding the Dentist
If you find yourself avoiding making appointments or attending dental visits, it is highly likely that you have some level of fear related to the dentist. This can be incredibly detrimental to your oral health, because regular dental visits are a crucial part of a good oral hygiene routine. Taking the steps to manage your dental phobia will go a long way toward protecting the health of your teeth.
Sweating
Breaking out in a layer of sweat is highly likely to occur when you are experiencing anxiety. If this occurs whenever you think about visiting the dentist or schedule a dental exam, it is possible that you have dental anxiety.
Racing Heartbeat
Physical symptoms are often common when an individual has dental anxiety. These symptoms don’t only impact the emotions and feelings of the individual. A racing heartbeat is a very common symptom of dental anxiety. If you experience this when you visit the dentist, it is possible that you have dental phobia.
Crying
If you find yourself on the verge of tears or even crying during or before dental visits, it is possible that you are experiencing a substantial amount of anxiety related to your dental visit.
Fainting
Blood pressure often goes down when an individual is anxious. This makes fainting much more likely. If you faint while in the dental office or when in the waiting room, it is possible that you have dental phobia.
Visible Distress
Visible signs of distress are useful when you are trying to determine if your child is experiencing dental phobia. Look into your child’s interactions with other people and their behavior when it comes to their dental visits. This will help you to take the steps to overcome their fear and ensure that they are capable of receiving the appropriate dental treatment.
Withdrawal
Individuals that are experiencing feelings of anxiety often react differently, depending on the situation. Many times, they will withdraw inside themselves and not react well with other people. Anger, frustration, and crying are also common when it comes to dental phobia. Pay attention to your emotions and behaviors when you are thinking about dental visits or visiting the dentist. This will help you to identify if you have dental phobia.
Causes of Dental Phobia
There are many reasons that an individual may have or develop dental phobia. Dental phobia may occur because an individual feels like they have to give up their control during their dental visit. This is an extremely common reason for high levels of anxiety. Many people that are anxious about the dentist are worried about the possibility of pain during their visit. This is especially true for individuals that have had painful past experiences with the dentist. In many situations, dental anxiety arises due to negative past experiences with a dentist. This can cause you to continue to feel anxious, even when you have additional positive dental experiences.
Managing your Fear
Taking the steps to manage your fear can go a long way toward reducing the likelihood of problems. This will help to ensure that you are able to visit your dentist on a regular basis, which goes a long way toward protecting your teeth. Breathing strategies and techniques are a great way to relax and handle your fear. Meditation is another option for stress relief. When you meditate on a regular basis, you will be more likely to be able to use meditation to alleviate your anxiety. Providing a distraction, such as bringing a friend or watching a show, can reduce your dental fear. Medication can often be implemented by a dentist in order to help you handle high levels of anxiety. Learning what will occur during the dental visit can also aid with the management of anxiety.
Our experts at Avenues Dentistry are passionate about ensuring that you can obtain the dental services that you need, even if you experience dental phobia. When you take the steps to handle your dental phobia, you will be better equipped to protect the health of your teeth. If you suspect that you have dental anxiety or phobia, you may want to contact our office for guidance regarding the best steps to take. To learn more about our services or handling dental anxiety, contact us at Avenues Dentistry today!