Dental Phobia – Its Types and Treatments
Dentophobia or dental phobia is term that is broadly used to describe the condition of fear and anxiety to visit a dentist. People who have this fear may avoid dental fear and visiting a dentist or an oral surgeon.
Dentophobia Types
The Dentist – Some people fear IRS auditors and surgeons, others fear dentists irrationally. You may think all dentists are the same if you have had a negative experience with a certain dentist.
Pain – Fully painless dentistry is not possible, and there is some pain in most procedures. Most people are susceptible to oral disease and some dentistry patients may believe that discomfort lasts forever.
Noises – Some people with dentophobia worry about the sounds coming from the office of a dentist. For example, when you hear the sound from the drill, some patients may be numb.
Needles – If you fear needles, you might be frightened by the needles used by dentists to addict the mouth of a patient.
Symptoms of Dental Phobia
- Sweating
- Low blood pressure
- Distress
- Withdrawal symptoms
Other Signs of Dental Phobia
- Sleeping issues
- Nervousness
- Feeling ill physically and crying
Dental Phobia Causes
Pain and Fear
Pain fear is a very common reason for the dentist’s avoidance. This fear is usually the result of a previous dental experience that was uncomfortable or painful or from other people’s history of ‘dental pain and horror.’ Due to the numerous advances made in dentistry over the years, the majority of dental procedures today are significantly less painful and even painless.
Injection Fears
Many people, especially when inserted in your mouth, are scared of needles. In addition to this fear, other people fear that the anesthesia has not yet come into effect or has not been sufficiently large as to eliminate pain before the dental procedure begins.
Side Effects’ Fear
Some people are concerned about potential side effects like dizziness, tiredness or nausea. Others don’t like local anesthesia’s numbness or “fat lip.”
Feeling Helpless
Given the situation – sitting in the dental chair with your mouth wide open, unable to see what is going on, people usually feel those emotions.
Embarrassment and Feeling Lack of Privacy
The physical closeness of the dentist / hygiene to your face makes many people feel uncomfortable. Others may feel self-aware of the appearance or possible mouth odor due to their teeth.
Contact Dr. Wooten at Oral and Facial Surgery of Oklahoma without delay. Consult our oral surgeon in OKC for any of your dental problems.
**Disclaimer: This site content is not intended to be medical advice nor establishes a doctor-patient relationship.
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