Dental Phobia 101

Just can't stand the thought of going to the dentist? Your case is not isolated - Over 35 million Americans have some level of anxiety about this. Anxiety is physical and mental tension similar to a state of fear but it is based upon anticipation of danger and a concern about a disastrous future event. There are estimates that at least 10% to 15% of US adults experience a more severe form of fear known as dental phobia, an irrational, intense, and persistent fear of dental treatment. These sufferers avoid dental care at all costs and many of them will only seek help when they are suffering acute pain, such as a dental abscess requiring invasive treatment. This aggravates their ill feelings towards dentistry and they become part of a "cycle of avoidance".

Most people raise valid reasons for their fear. Some recall a traumatic experience where they endured pain during treatment that was made light of by the dentist. Offensive words like "Stop acting like a baby!", "You're over reacting. This is painless!". Such remarks are manifestation of insensitiveness especially if the person concerned had painful experiences in the past. If there were more distressful visits over the years, the fear was plainly reignited. The reality is many senior citizens in their 70s and 80s still shiver at the idea of visiting the dentist.

For some people who were restrained in the dental chair as a child or ignored when they had pain, visiting the dentist creates a high degree of anxiety. For some people, stepping into a dentist clinic is a frightening experience.

Local anesthetic is not always 100% effective and some patients require more than others . Many can clearly remember past soreness while being treated only to be told "You've had plenty of Novocaine! It is all in the mind!" The effect is that this patient later may not get the confidence needed to undergo the required dental procedure.

Dental Phobia involves:

• Fear of Dentists

• Fear of Dental Procedures, especially fear of the drill

• Fear of Pain

• Injection or Needle Scare

• Fear of anesthesia side effects: fat lip, numbness, drooling

• Fear of helplessness and loss of control

• Worry about the humiliation brought about by the teeth condition

Indications of Dental Phobia

• Trouble sleeping the night before the appointment

• Crying or feeling physically ill at the thought of seeing the dentist

• Feelings of nervousness that escalate while waiting in the dental office

• Trembling, shaking

• Shortness of breath

• Numbness and stinging effects in extremities

• High pulse rate

• Sweating

• Throwing up and abdominal pain

• Chills or hot flushes

• Panic when dental objects are placed in mouth

Avoiding care because of fear has resulted in major dental problems. Treating a cavity may cost $300 to $600 now but delay may lead to a root canal, priced at $1600 to $2000. Dental infections as a result of abscesses yield greater gum disease cases including early tooth loss and some systemic illnesses.

Today, the sufferer of dental anxiety or dental phobia has a variety of treatment options. Prerequisite should be actual consultation. The dentist should be told about the patient's fears and past traumatic experiences. It will soon become evident if the dentist is compassionate and able to help with anxiety and dental phobia. If the patient's plight is not taken seriously, then it is but proper to look for another dental practitioner. Actively participating in a discussion about treatment options is the first step in dealing with fear. A well informed patient will feel relaxed paving the way for a smooth dental care procedure.