In the movie Royal Wedding, Fred Astaire’s character describes a startled and panicked expression by saying, “You should have seen the expression on your face when you saw me…As if I were a dentist.” Unfortunately, dental anxiety is so common, it is easy fodder for uncomfortably relatable comedic dialogue. A 2009 study found dental phobia to be the most common of those tested for, even outranking phobias of heights and spiders. 

We’ve all felt at least a twinge of nervousness when going to the dentist, but why is going to the dentist so universally scary? Most people understand that regular visits to the dentist are valuable and important to dental health, but that awareness does not always overpower the very real burden dental anxiety presents. Without downplaying that struggle, we have a few suggestions on how to manage it.

Common Sources of Dental Anxiety

Half of the battle with fear is pinpointing its source. Not everyone shares the same concerns about the dentist, and other peoples’ anxieties form a veritable cocktail. These are a few of the most common causes of dental anxiety.

Lack of Control

As human beings, we like to feel in control of our surroundings. At the dentist office, it may feel like we give away our autonomy when we sit in that looming chair.

Pain

In the study mentioned above, fear of physical injury was prevalent in the study group, but we don’t need an academic study to know that human beings don’t like pain. If you expect to feel pain at the dentist, it will certainly raise your anxiety levels.

Fear of Shots 

Fear of dental injections are two-fold: the general fear of needles and concerns about what is being injected. Shots bring initial discomfort, but many people hate the numbness that follows the injection of a local anesthetic.

Fear of Tools 

There’s no way to sugarcoat that someone else putting a drill between your teeth can be a source of pronounced dental anxiety. Being unfamiliar with what exactly each dental tool does loops back into the sense of helplessness associated with loss of control.

Embarrassment

The dentist is an expert on dental health, so if you are self conscious about the state of your teeth or how long it’s been since you last visited the dentist, you might be worried that the dentist is judging you. “Scared to go to the dentist after 10 years” and “rotten teeth scared of dentist” are commonly searched Google terms.

Bad Experiences In the Past

If a previous dentist visit has left a bad taste in your mouth, going back will be even more difficult to face than the first. 

Ways to Reduce Dental Anxiety

Anticipation can be the best part of something you are looking forward to and the worst part of something you dread. Often going to the dentist is not as bad as one expects it to be. For example, root canals are treated as the worst-case scenario in common language, when in reality root canals are meant to correct preexisting pain. While soreness in the jaw often follows the procedure, the pain is less than the usually debilitating toothaches that necessitate root canals. 

Remember that regular dental visits are vital to protecting your teeth against cavities, gum disease, and tooth infection, but we have several suggestions to make visiting the dentist less anxiety-inducing if merely recognizing the importance is not enough. If none of these help, you might also try visiting a psychologist to work through extreme dental phobia.

Go With Someone You Know

Having a friend or family member whom you trust can mitigate the fear of a dental visit. That person can offer support and reassurance.

Manage Your Stress Response

Work to control your breathing and remind your nervous system that you are not in danger. Stretches and meditation before a visit can achieve this too. If you are prescribed an anxiety medication like Temazepam, take it before dental work at the discretion of your doctor.

Distract Yourself

Ask your dentist if you can listen to music during your visit. Wear headphones to further train your brain that you are in a safe place. 

Arrive Early

Rushing will add fuel to the fire of anxiety. Give yourself plenty of time to get to the dentist office and take deep breaths in the lobby.

Transparency with Your Dentist

Let your dentist know about your fears. So many people have dental anxiety that your dentist will be understanding and equipped with the right tools to help ameliorate the fear. The best dentists are happy to answer your questions and explain their methods.

Find the Right Dentist for You

Choosing a dentist is a matter of following good reviews and trial and error. Find a dental office that has a calming atmosphere and a dentist that is accommodating and answers your questions. 

If dental anxiety is keeping you from getting the dental care you need, we are here to help. At Covington Dental Arts, we want you to feel confident in your smile, both in and out of the dentist chair. Give us a call today to see how we can help.