Don’t Let Dental Anxiety Stop You from Getting Regular Check-Ups

Anxiety can leave a person paralysed with fear, and can even lead to panic attacks. Not only can dental anxiety have a profound effect on the mental health of a patient, it can also impact their dental health.

Patients with dental anxiety are more likely to ignore routine checkups or to avoid seeking out treatment when they experience an issue with their teeth. This could lead to small issues becoming much larger issues, or it could be deadly if routine oral cancer screening is missed.

In this guide, we’re looking at where dental anxiety comes from and what you can do if you are experiencing this common phobia. We’ll guide you through some of the solutions that could help you to overcome your fear of the dentist so you can take control of your oral health.

Dental anxiety: You are not alone

Research has found that half the UK population has a fear of going to the dentist – and of those, 12 percent suffer a severe anxiety. While you might be able to struggle through a visit to the dentist with mild anxiety, those with a more severe phobia might avoid it entirely.

Dental anxiety is behind the failure of a large number of people to make routine visits to the dentist.

The impact of this on dental health cannot be underestimated. Regular visits to the dentist are vital to pick up the early signs of tooth decay and to have those treated early on.

Prolonged absence from the dentist will more than likely only serve to worsen anxiety – and to further risk dental health.

This is an unfortunate situation, as it means that long and uncomfortable treatment is more likely. And this is precisely what the person with a phobia is worried about. This is why it’s important to address a fear of the dentist quickly and not to avoid routine checkups.

If you find that your routine checkup is playing on your mind more than you would like, you can speak to your dentist about strategies to help make this easier. Often just saying out loud that you are nervous can help your dentist to put you at ease.

Most people are good at masking their fear, so your dentist might have no idea of the concerns you have about your routine checkup.

Another reason to consider tackling your fear of the dentist is to think about the impact it could have on your children. Dental phobias can be passed down to your children, as they will pick up on your change in mood.

Coping strategies for dental anxiety

While some adults have a fear of the dentist rooted in a childhood experience, it is important to recognise that modern dentists make patient comfort a priority. You might be holding on to a memory of a treatment that just isn’t the same as it once was, so you’re unlikely to ever experience it again.

Dentists are also excellent at putting young children at ease – it’s all part of the training. Dental surgeries often have toys for children and the dentist will work hard to put young patients at ease from day one.

Dentists will also discuss treatment with patients, keeping them fully informed and talking through options. If you’re nervous about your visit, try the following strategies:

It could help to make appointments first thing in the morning to stop anxiety building up throughout the day. This will allow you to get it out of the way quickly, so you aren’t spending the day building it up in your head.

You’re welcome to bring a friend or family member along if you want extra support. This can help if you are worried about not being listened to during your visit. Having a friend there to support you can help you to make sure you are speaking up.

Brush your teeth when you arrive at the practice so that you feel fresh and confident. Bad breath can make patients more nervous – but they don’t need to be.

Arrive with plenty of time to sit and collect yourself. Try some breathing exercises in the waiting room or distract yourself with a book or magazine.

For longer dental procedures, ask your dentist if you can wear headphones so that you don’t have to listen to the sounds. This can help you to zone out and relax.

Raise your hand if you need to stop at any point. A common cause for dental anxiety comes from feeling like you cannot speak out. When your dentist is working on your mouth, use hand signals to let them know if you need a pause.

Ask for extra time if you are very worried. A longer appointment will give your dentist plenty of time to go at your speed, so you can feel confident asking for breaks when needed.

When to consider sedation for dental anxiety

In cases of extreme dental anxiety, sedation is an option. It could also help worried patients get used to the idea of visiting the dentist and receiving treatment.

Where dental patients need sedation it is usually inhaled as ‘gas and air’. This quickly makes patients feel calm and relaxed ahead of treatment. The patient remains conscious and the effects wear off quickly after treatment.

It’s also possible to have oral conscious IV sedation. This is an injection into your arm or hand that will help you to feel calm and relaxed, but still awake. It usually takes around 24 hours to wear off.

Don’t feel that anxiety is a barrier to getting dental treatment – kind, caring and compassionate dentists are ready to help.

Prevention is always better than cure. If you are anxious about visiting the dentist please contact Bhandal Dental Surgery, we will be more than happy to reassure you.