If the idea of going to the dentist fills you with a feeling of dread, you’re not alone.
In fact, over half (53%) of the UK population suffers from dental anxiety, and 17% refuse to go to the dentist or avoid getting essential work done. Plus, as many as 1 in 6 people miss regular checkups, which could lead to any dental health concerns not being picked up on until they become a serious problem.
So, why are so many UK adults avoiding the dentist’s chair?
The Causes Of Dental Anxiety
It’s easy to dismiss your dental anxiety as ‘irrational’ or ‘childish’, especially if that is what you are told by the people around you. As a result, many adults feel embarrassed to admit their fear of the dentist, and simply choose to avoid going.
But dental anxiety isn’t irrational – it’s very natural to feel anxiety if you are worried that you will experience pain or discomfort, even if you know the results will be worth it in the end.
Experiencing anxiety can be a scary and isolating experience, but most – if not all – dentists have had experience treating anxious patients, and know how to help them get through treatment despite their fears.
Dental anxiety can be caused by several factors, including:
- – Previous traumatic experiences at the dentist that have been frightening or painful
- – Sensory issues which cause anxiety or discomfort, such as sensitivity to loud, erratic, or high-pitched noises
- – Fear of losing control
- – Discomfort at having another person in your personal space
- – Phobia of needles
- – Choking sensation from dental instruments in your mouth
- – Feeling embarrassed about your oral hygiene
Identifying Dental Anxiety
Almost everyone experiences anxiety at some point in their lives, but not everybody can identify when they are experiencing these feelings. Therefore, you may find that you keep cancelling your dental appointments without really knowing why.
Here are a few symptoms of anxiety that you may experience before your dentist’s appointment:
- – A feeling of dread, such as the fear that you are going to die
- – Feeling faint or dizzy
- – Accelerated heartbeat
- – Rapid breathing
- – Feeling hot or sweating
- – Shaking
Face Your Fears!
When you suffer from any type of anxiety, the temptation is to avoid the situation. But in most instances, avoidant behaviours can make matters worse.
To take a different example, many people who suffer from agoraphobia (fear of public places) will often stay home to avoid dealing with the outside world. But, the longer they remain housebound, the more difficult they find it to go outside. This perpetuates the cycle of anxiety, and eventually, they will be unable to go outside at all.
With dental phobia, this is even more the case.
When you avoid going to the dentist, you will find it even more difficult to go to the dentist for your next appointment. Not only that, but your dental health may have deteriorated even further, which could result in more work needing to be done, which can make your anxiety about going to the dentist even worse!
There is only one way to get over your fear of the dentist, and that is to face your fears, head-on. Thankfully, there are several strategies you can use to help you cope with your anxiety.
Top Tips For Coping With Your Dental Anxiety
Time It Right – Arriving late to your dentist’s appointment can cause you to get stressed, which can increase your anxiety. On the other hand, arriving too early can cause you to overthink, which can also contribute to anxiety. Aim to arrive at the dentist’s 10-15 minutes before your appointment to avoid rushing or having to sit with your thoughts for too long.
Share The Load – Dentists have extensive experience treating anxious patients, and have many strategies that they use to help their patients get through their appointments. From providing reassurance, to prescribing sedation in extreme cases, your dentist will be able to find a solution which makes you feel more comfortable with the procedure.
Use Distraction – Giving yourself something else to focus on during your appointments can help you take your mind off the procedure. There are a range of activities you can do in the dentist’s chair, from playing with fidget toys and stress-relief balls, watching television, or listening to music, podcasts, or audiobooks through noise-cancelling headphones to drown out any sounds that make you uncomfortable.
Breathing Techniques – Breathing techniques are a simple way to help you calm your central nervous system. This works by soothing your sympathetic system (the part that makes you anxious) and engaging the parasympathetic nervous system (the part that makes you calm down). Try the 4-7-8 breathing technique: breathe in for 4 counts, hold your breath for 7, and breathe out for 8.
Relaxation Techniques – There are many relaxation techniques you can use in the dentist’s chair to help you calm down. These often involve visualisation, where you picture a safe, familiar place in your mind.
For example, you may choose to imagine that you are safe, in your living room, with a family member or a pet, beside a crackling fire. Or you may imagine that you are taking a walk on a beach on a hot summer’s day. If you need a little help to ‘get in the zone’, you can find many guided meditations on sites such as YouTube, which you can play through your headphones.
Have A ‘Stop Signal’ – Agreeing on a ‘Stop Signal’ with your dentist can help you feel more in control, and allow you to take a break if you need to. For example, you might raise a hand if you need to stop for any reason.
Get Some Support – If you require support to attend your dental appointment, many dentists will allow you to bring a friend or family member into the room with you. Alternatively, you can ask for a dental nurse to be on-hand to provide support.
At Winchmore Hill Dental Practice, we are more than capable of working with nervous patients of all ages. So if you need dental work done, have no fear of booking an appointment with us!
