Dental phobia is typically classified as a more severe form of dental anxiety. It leads many people to avoid visiting the dentist altogether, and those who do visit the dentist battle through fear and severe anxiety. The good news is that there are effective ways for a general dentist to help patients who struggle with dental phobia.
General dentists understand the prevalence of dental phobia, and the best general dentists do all they can to help patients who are dealing with fear, anxiety, and stress. The following is a review of dental phobia, including insights into what it is exactly, potential causes, how it is treated, and ways to prevent patients from developing it.
In the simplest terms, the term dental phobia refers to a fear of visiting the dentist. There is a difference between having a dental phobia and dental anxiety. Anxiety is milder and something many if not most patients deal with to a certain degree, whereas dental phobia is more severe and harder to treat. There are many different causes of dental phobia (see below), and determining the root cause is often important in dealing with the condition. The goal for treatment is to minimize the symptoms and hopefully overcome the phobia over time.
As mentioned, determining the cause of dental phobia is an important step to overcoming the issue. Several of the more common causes of dental phobia include:
Many dental phobias are not rational and caused by bad past experiences or a misconception of what takes place during a visit. To determine the cause of the dental phobia, patients should consider the reasons they are hesitant to visit and discuss their concerns with the general dentistry team or someone else they trust.
There are several ways general dentists can treat a dental phobia. If the patient fears a painful procedure, then the dentist may use sedation to ensure the patient does not feel discomfort. If the concern is loud noises caused by dental tools, then they may recommend wearing headphones during treatment. A misconception of what to expect or fear from bad past experiences can often be treated by discussing the treatment process with a dentist during a consultation visit.
If you have dental phobia, then know that you are not alone. Our general dentistry team helps many patients with dental anxiety and phobia overcome their fears and receive the dental care they need in a comfortable and stress-free environment.
Request an appointment here: https://centerfordentalexcellencefl.com or call St. Augustine Center For Dental Excellence at (904) 770-3777 for an appointment in our St. Augustine office.
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: General Dentist in St. Augustine, FL.
Dental implants are a leading choice for many patients when it comes to tooth replacement. Patients like the idea of a tooth replacement option resembling natural teeth. Dental implants look natural and perform like a permanent natural tooth. Therefore, there is no need to take the tooth replacement out daily for cleaning or worry about…
Dental implants are an increasingly popular choice for individuals with missing or damaged teeth. They offer a variety of benefits over traditional dentures or bridges. However, they can also come with challenges, and not everyone will benefit from the procedure. This article will explore the pros and cons of dental implants to help you make…
Invisalign® is increasingly becoming a very popular teeth-straightening treatment option. The process is simple and relatively comfortable, which is why it is growing in popularity. However, because it is not as old or traditional as braces, it can be helpful to get familiar with how exactly the process works. Keep reading to learn more about…
As a patient considering dental implants, there are some important things that you need to know. Dental implants are a popular and effective way to replace missing teeth, but they require careful consideration and planning to ensure their success. This article will go over the basics of dental implants and what you can expect from…
