Dental anxiety
Dental anxiety
Everyone gets nervous or anxious from time to time. For some people, however, anxiety becomes to feel more forceful. One of the areas where people get anxious is at the dental office. In this article, we will discuss sedation and non-sedation options to face dental anxiety.
As a dentist, I believe that dental anxiety is a common phenomena. According to research, 4%-20% percent of patients report feeling anxious seeing the dentist. Another 36%-61% of patients are “little afraid” of anxiety.
Dental anxiety is a natural response to a stressful situation in the dental office. Dental anxiety can range from mild to sever, and from normal to abnormal. For more information about dental anxiety, please refer to Dr McMaster and Dr. Garisto article on Dental anxiety.
Anxiety is a response to a stressful situation.
Causes of dental anxiety
6 practical tips to manage dental anxiety (please refer to the infographic attached):
- Speak up. Talk to your dentist about your fears and concerns. Explain what makes you feel stressful. Have a discussion about options available.
- Go slow. Explain all your fears and anxiety on the first meeting. Put together a strategy for the treatment plan and ask that everystep to be explained.
- Establish signs to communicate to your dentist during the appointment and ask for breaks.
- Bring comforting music with you to the appointment: Music can be a good distraction especially if you are listening to your favorite songs.
- Practice deep breathing before a stressful situation. Practicing relaxation breathing is a proven method to reduce anxiety.
- Try sedation: If you feel that you still can’t handle the stress during your appointment. Ask your dentist to available sedation options to control your anxiety.
Dr. Max Dawabshe is a practicing dentist in Oakville. If you have any questions and comments please feel free to share with him through the contact form in the website
