Fear is an unpleasant emotion, and being afraid of the threat of danger, threat, pain, or harm. This may deprive you of several things, one such aspect being oral care. Fear of visiting your dentist is common among many individuals of all ages. This can lead to neglecting your oral health altogether.
Wichita Falls dentist and their team offer a friendly environment to help you cope with dental fear and anxiety in an attempt to revitalize your oral health.
Understanding dental fear and anxiety
Dental fear or phobia can affect any age group and there could be several triggering factors. These include:
- Dentist
Negative feelings associated with your dentist, especially if you had a bad experience in the past.
- Embarrassment
Fear of being embarrassed about your tooth condition.
- Modeling
Hearing someone else discuss their dental fear can spark the same phobia in you.
- Anesthesia
You may fear the needle prick during the administration of anesthesia. Sometimes side effects of anesthesia such as temporary numbness of the lips, can also trigger fear.
- Blood
You may panic or feel anxious due to the fear of blood (hemophobia) during dental procedures.
- Dental pain
Dental procedures may be accompanied by pain and discomfort that could cause anxiety.
- Noise
Sound or noise produced by drills and dental instruments during the procedure.
- Smell
You may become anxious due to the smell of dental cement, and other materials.
Helpful tips to cope with dental fear and anxiety
Dental anxiety and fear can be completely overwhelming. However, it is crucial to overcome this fear since maintaining good oral health through regular dental visits is essential.
Here are some tips to help you cope:
- Ask a friend or a loved one to accompany you during your dental visits.
- Inform your dentist about your fears and keep them in the loop, so that your dentist can manage your fears effectively.
- Visit your dentist during a less busy time of the day, preferably during the morning hours. This ensures less noise from other dental instruments and machines.
- Bring noise-blocking headphones, earbuds, or earphones with music to help you calm down.
- Use throat sprays to control the gag reflex.
Wrapping up
Dental anxiety and fear is a real problem that needs to be overcome to maintain your oral health. It requires patience and consistency to gradually win over your fear to a point where you no longer avoid getting the oral care you need.
