Seeing the dentist isn’t always pleasant. However, if you struggle with dental anxiety, it is much worse. Whether it be the sights or sounds, dental anxiety makes that regular trip to the dentist much more daunting.
What is dental anxiety?
Dental anxiety refers to the fear and anxiety around visiting the dentist. This can be because of the sounds like drilling or other procedures. It can also be triggered by the tools we use during cleanings and procedures.
When you have dental anxiety, it affects how often you come to see us. We know that a dental office can be an uncomfortable environment. At Toothcrew, we’ve ensured that our office is a calming environment for you to walk into.
Do I have dental anxiety?
There are a couple of ways to tell if you have dental anxiety. If you start to sweat sweaty, the thought of seeing the dentist or being in the office is one way to tell. If you begin to feel woozy or faint, this is another sign of anxiety. The biggest thing you’ll notice is if your heartbeat is increased. Our hearts tend to race when we are nervous, excited or scared.
If you begin to have anxiety attacks, this can indicate a more severe case of dental anxiety. It may also mean a dental phobia, which is a more significant issue. Dental phobia involves much work with us, the patient and perhaps a third party to manage.
What causes dental anxiety?
Several things can cause dental anxiety and dental phobia. Events that cause the anxiety of phobia can be a past traumatic experience at the dentist. If you’ve had previous head or neck trauma, you can be anxious about someone coming close to those areas if you have issues with people in your personal space, previous abuse or some mental health issues.
What happens if I skip the dentist?
When you skip cleanings or see the dentist altogether, you put your oral health at risk. Seeing your dentist regularly means cleaning your teeth well and allowing us to assess your oral health. When you don’t come to the dentist, you are at risk of developing cavities, gum disease and other major dental issues that will cost you both monetarily and health-wise.
Is Dental Anxiety common?
You don’t need to worry; dental anxiety is very common. While it varies in severity, it’s common to have anxiety around the dentist. The Journal of the Canadian Dental Association finds that 22% of patients experience some form of anxiety related to the dentist.
If you have dental anxiety, you aren’t alone. There is no need to feel embarrassed or ashamed because of it. Even as dentists, we don’t always relish going for our cleanings or check-ups. If you have dental anxiety, it’s best to tell your dentist. We want to know if this helps us give you the best care possible.
If the sounds or sights trigger you, let us know. We are happy to work with you to ease your anxiety around tools and procedures. If your anxiety is terrible or you have a phobia, we offer sedation dentistry to keep you calm during cleanings. Our goal is to make sure your mouth is healthy, but we want you to be comfortable while we do our job.
If you are looking for a dentist who offers sedation, a calming environment, and a compassionate team to work with you, check out Toothcrew Dental. We are here to ensure that your mouth stays healthy at your pace.