It’s not that we actually fear dentists, but rather that we fear their dental equipment and the pain of dental treatment. A pending visit to the dentist can also trigger feelings of guilt and shame because our oral hygiene has been somewhat lacking. The first step to overcoming our fear of the dentist is to understand what our dental fears are.
How Can I Get Over My Fear of the Dentist?
Identifying Our Fears
Many people have anxiety and dental phobia, and it’s no laughing matter. About 80 percent of Americans experience a degree of dental anxiety and dental phobia. That results in nine to fifteen percent of Americans avoiding the dentist altogether. That translates to around 40 million people who risk poor oral health and gum disease because of fear or phobia relating to dental practices.
Underpinning all our fears is the fear that a dentist’s instrument will accidentally touch a nerve– or at least the wrong nerve. It is normal to have some fear of things going wrong during a dental appointment.
Pain
The number one fear of dentist visits is pain. Fear of pain could be based on painful previous traumatic experiences you had in a dental chair. Anxiety or phobia is then projected onto pending dental procedures.
One way in which patients experience pain is when the area being worked on isn’t sufficiently numb. It could be that you need more numbing injections, or the injections need more time to work before dental work begins.
Loss of control
Central to a perceived loss of control is the realization that we are at the mercy of the dentist as we see it. We can do nothing to help sort out our dental care problems. We have that rare feeling of powerlessness. At the root of this fear is the fear of the unknown or a re-occurrence of a bad experience.
Discuss your fears with your dentist. Let them know how you feel about not being in control and why.
Previous Experiences
If you have ever had to have a root canal, which often takes more than one appointment, hearing that you need to return for another visit immediately surfaces resentment and dread. If you haven’t had root treatment, you may have heard horror stories from those who have.
Discussing trust issues based on bad past experiences is very important. The dentist might be able to explain what went wrong during the previous dental visit, and they will talk you through what is going to happen to make you feel more comfortable.
Sensory attack
Dental noises can be like a full-frontal attack on our senses because of:
- Noises that can hurt your ears
- The smell from drilling
- Terrible taste
- The sight of a broad range of metallic instruments
Even just visiting the dental office for routine teeth and gum cleaning can be unnerving for some. Again, for people with dental phobia, it is the fear of things going wrong.
Breathing problems
Even when you are sitting in the waiting room, dental anxiety can affect patients. The thought of not being able to swallow correctly for an extended period, combined with the idea of a mouthful of fingers and instruments, can cause feelings of claustrophobia and related anxieties.
Embarrassment
If we have a better relationship with the tooth fairy than a toothbrush, we fear being lectured about our poor dental hygiene. This stems from a fear of authority. From childhood, we have regarded the dentist as an authoritative figure instead of a healthcare practitioner who will care for us.
Overcoming our Fear of the Dentist
When looking for and finding a dentist, ensure they listen to you. Two main things can be done to overcome our fear of the dentist.
- The first is to articulate what we are afraid of and why. This requires a rational and logical process. Once we recognize our fear or fears,
- The next thing to do is verbalize them with the dental hygienist. This involves being open and honest and seeing the dentist as a human, not as the enemy.
Chances are they will understand and be able to alleviate our fears. Moreover, having had an upfront chat with our dentist will build trust. Studies have shown that we relax more when we trust someone.
Bring support
Ask a family member or friend to accompany you. They can sit in on the appointment with you or wait in the reception area once the injections kick in.
Arrive early
Being early will allow you to feel grounded and use the bathroom if needed. This will help you to relax. Use this opportunity to ask the reception staff any questions you think they can answer for you. Basic communication can also be distressing.
Stop sign
Talk to your dentist and agree on a warning sign you can give the dentist if you think the anxiety, discomfort, breathing problems, and claustrophobia will be too much for you. This will help if you need them to stop what they are doing.
To help you relax, opt for gas instead of injections and ask for the dentist to put on some music. Once the work is started, try out the stop sign to ensure the dentist remembers it. Now, open wide!
Use Distraction Techniques
Bringing headphones and listening to calming music or a podcast during your appointment can help distract you from the sounds of dental equipment. Some dental offices also offer TVs or virtual reality headsets. If not, you can still:
- Practice deep breathing during treatment
- Visualize a calming place (like the beach or forest)
- Use fidget tools if allowed during waiting times
Explore Sedation Dentistry
One effective way to overcome dental fear is through sedation options. Sedation dentistry can help calm nerves and reduce discomfort during treatment. Common methods include:
- Nitrous oxide (laughing gas): Offers mild relaxation and wears off quickly after the appointment.
- Oral sedation: Helps ease anxiety and is especially useful for longer procedures.
Not every patient needs sedation, but knowing it’s available can already reduce some of the anxiety before stepping into the office.
Visit our page on Sedation Dentistry to learn more about how we can make your visit easier.
Additional Information: Dental Anxiety: 3 Ways to Stop Fearing the Dentist – American Dental Association (ADA)
All Smiles Family Dentistry in Omaha, NE
At All Smiles Family Dentistry, we are proud to provide high-quality care to all our patients both young and old thanks to our compassionate and experienced dental team. We offer a clean and comfortable clinic to help you feel relaxed during your visit. Contact All Smiles Family Dentist.