3 Causes of Dental Anxiety

If you suffer from dental anxiety, you are not alone. Many people struggle with anxiety when it comes to the dentist’s office. For some, the feelings are far stronger and may prevent them from going to the dentist even for an emergency. Your anxiety can cause you to delay the treatment you need to prevent bigger problems from developing. Many issues can cause anxiety in dental patients. Here are three common causes of dental anxiety.

Fear of pain

The fear of pain is the most common reason patients feel anxiety about going to the dentist. This fear often comes as a result of a bad experience at some time in the past. Other patients have heard terrible stories from others about painful mishaps. But there are new advances in dental care all the time. New pain management and less-invasive techniques mean that many procedures are far less painful than before.

Related to the fear of pain is the fear that pain management will fail. Patients may have serious anxiety and worry that a local injection of anesthetic will not work properly during the procedure. This fear that the pain relief will fail may also go hand in hand with a fear of needles. Patients must discuss this fear with the doctor. The doctor can create a pain management plan that accommodates the patient’s anxiety as well. When a patient knows what the whole plan is for a dental procedure, it can be reassuring.

The loss of control

It is normal for people to feel anxiety about not being in control of a situation. When a patient reclines in the dentist’s chair with instruments in their mouths, it can create a feeling of powerlessness. Some patients are also nervous about getting dental procedures that require any sedative or anesthetic that causes drowsiness or unconsciousness. In many cases, the dentist can work with the patient to prevent pain but allow the patient to stay awake if that helps. When patients are awake and aware for procedures, the dentist and staff can explain each tool and action so that the patient knows what is happening as it happens.

Embarrassment can cause dental anxiety

Patients feel embarrassed about many things in the dentist’s chair. Some patients might be considering dental care after years but feel anxious about neglected oral care. Bad breath and missing or broken teeth can be a big source of embarrassment for people. A dentist is going to be in the patient’s personal space, and that can feel like an invasion of a person’s personal bubble. Having the dentist’s hands inside the mouth can also feel like an invasion of personal space. Dentists understand that people are often very self-conscious about dental problems and want to help reassure patients that solving those problems is the dentist’s priority.

Talk about your dental anxiety

You should speak to the dentist about your fears and worries. Your dentist understands that your anxiety can cause you to struggle with maintaining dental visits. No dentist wants to add to your anxiety but speaking about it is the most effective way to navigate that dental anxiety without making it worse. Your dentist wants you to share your concerns so that the office can make you more comfortable and keep you in good oral health.

Request an appointment here: https://www.smilebeautification.com or call Rolando Cibischino D.M.D. at (201) 204-1355 for an appointment in our Hackensack office.

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