What Is Dental Anxiety And Phobia
Some people don't look forward to dental appointments any more than they look forward to visits to a physician. Most dental procedures aren't painful, but just being examined can make people feel stressed.
Some anxiety about going to the dentist can be considered acceptable. For those with dental phobia, however, the thought of going to the dentist is terrifying. They may be so frightened, in fact, that they'll do just about anything to avoid a dental appointment.
A phobia is an intense, unreasonable fear of a specific activity, object or situation. People with dental phobia often put off routine care for years or even decades. Rather than make an appointment, they'll put up with gum infections (periodontal disease), pain or even broken and unsightly teeth.
Dental anxiety and phobia are extremely common. It has been estimated that 9% to 15% of Americans — about 30 million to 40 million people — avoid seeing the dentist because of anxiety and fear. A survey commissioned by the British Dental Health Foundation found that 36% of those who don't see a dentist regularly say that fear is the main reason.
People often use the words " anxiety" and " phobia" interchangeably, but they aren't the same thing.
Those with dental anxiety will have a sense of uneasiness when it's time for their appointments. They'll have exaggerated or unfounded worries or fears. Dental phobia is a more serious condition. It's characterized by highly instense fear or dread. People with dental phobia aren't merely anxious, but terrified or panic stricken.
People with dental phobia have a higher risk of gum disease and premature tooth loss. Apart from the physical consequences of avoiding the dentist, there may be emotional costs as well. Discolored or damaged teeth can make people self-conscious and insecure. They may smile less or keep their mouths partly closed when they speak. Some people can become so embarrassed about the cosmetic qualities of their teeth that their personal and professional lives begin to suffer. There is often a serious loss of self-esteem.
There are varying degrees of dental anxiety and phobia. At the extreme, a person with dental phobia may never see a dentist. Others may force themselves to go, but they may not sleep the night before. It's not uncommon for people to feel sick — or, in some cases, to actually get sick — while they're in the waiting room.
Dental phobia, like other mental disorders, can be treated. Without treatment, dental phobia is likely to get worse over time, in part because emotional stress can make dental visits more uncomfortable than they need to be. People who are unusually tense tend to have a lower pain threshold, which means they may experience pain at lower levels than other people. They may need additional anesthetics or other pain treatments. They may even develop stress-related problems in other parts of the body, such as headaches or muscle stiffness in the neck or back.
Causes Of Dental Anxiety And Phobia
There are many reasons why some people develop dental anxieties and phobias. When researchers interview patients, however, a few common themes emerge.
Pain — In a survey of people who had not seen a dentist for 12 months, 6% reported fear of pain as the main reason. The fear of pain is most common in adults 24 years and older, probably because their early dental experiences happened before many of the advances in " pain-free" dentistry.
Feelings of helplessness and loss of control — Many people develop phobias about situations — such as flying in an airplane — in which they feel they have no control. When they're in the dental chair, they have to stay still. They may feel they can't see what's going on or predict what's going to hurt. It's common for people to feel helplessness and a loss of control.
Embarrassment — The mouth is an intimate part of the body. People may feel ashamed or embarrassed to have a stranger looking inside, especially if they're self-conscious about the appearance of their teeth. Also, the physical closeness that occurs during dental treatments — the hygienist's or dentist's face may be just a few inches away — can make people anxious and uncomfortable.
Negative past experiences — Anyone who has had pain or discomfort during previous dental procedures is likely to be more anxious the next time around.
Symptoms
There isn't a clear boundary that separates " normal" anxiety from phobia. Everyone experiences various fears and concerns and copes with them in different ways. However, the prospect of dental work does not need to fill you with terror. If it does, then you may need some help overcoming the fears.
Some of the signs of dental phobia include:
- You feel tense or have trouble sleeping the night before a dental exam.
- You get increasingly nervous while you're in the waiting room.
- You feel like crying when you think of going to the dentist. The sight of dental instruments — or of white-coated personnel in the dentist's office — increases your anxiety.
- The thought of a dental visit makes you feel physically ill.
- You panic when objects are placed in your mouth during a dental appointment or you suddenly find it difficult to breathe.
Source: http://www.colgate.com
