Dental Anxiety
A person who experiences dental anxiety may feel stress, fear or anxiety in a dental setting.
Dental Anxiety
A person who experiences dental anxiety may feel stress, fear or anxiety in a dental setting.
Are you often nervous about coming to the dentist? More so than the average person?
You may have dental anxiety. A person who experiences dental anxiety may feel stress, fear or anxiety in a dental setting. Triggers such as drills, needles or even the dental setting can be associated with dental anxiety. Dental anxiety can also result due to certain mental health conditions such as, generalised anxiety disorder, post traumatic stress disorder, depression, schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. Dental anxiety is quite common and there are ways that it can be managed.
Symptoms of dental anxiety
The following symptoms may be experienced by someone experiencing dental anxiety:
- Increase heartbeat or heart palpitations
- Sweating
- Low blood pressure
- Syncope (possibility of fainting)
- Visible distress such as crying or signs of panic
- Withdrawal
Patients may also intentionally miss appointments consistently to avoid the distress
Causes of dental anxiety:
The following factors may have caused dental anxiety:
- Previous trauma to the neck or head
- A previous traumatic dental experience
- Other traumatic experiences such as abuse
- Depression, post traumatic stress disorder or generalised anxiety
- Trust issues
- Fear of invasion of personal space
- Fear of loss of control
Who is likely to develop dental anxiety?
Dental anxiety is common amongst all age groups. Children who have dental anxiety can overcome this fear after a good experience, where they were taken good care of. Adults on the other hand hardly ever overcome their fears.
How to manage dental anxiety?
In order to manage dental anxiety it is really important for you to inform your dentist that you are anxious so they can make the process as comfortable as possible for you and can tailor your treatment plan accordingly.
Some ways to cope with dental anxiety include:
- Meditation
- Distraction such as music
- Deep breathing
In case of extreme dental anxiety, also known as dental phobia extreme measures such as sedation may be considered.
Broken Tooth
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Crowded Teeth
Dead Tooth
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Dental Anxiety
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