Overcoming dental stress and anxiety

In April 2023 we mark Stress Awareness Month – an annual event aimed at raising awareness of the causes and cures of stress, and that encourages conversations on this important topic.

The world of dentistry is one that’s sometimes associated with stress, anxiety and fear. People right across the globe may experience stress when it comes to the matter of their dental health and various procedures, treatments and processes involving their teeth and gums.

What is dentophobia?

Dentophobia (sometimes referred to as odontophobia) is the fear of visiting the dentists. It’s surprisingly common – about one in five Irish people surveyed claim to suffer from Dentophobia,* and as many as 20% of the population stated visits to the dentist cause them some anxiety.*

It’s a phobia which affects more women than men, and unlike many phobias, people are more likely to feel anxious about dentist visits as they get older. This is likely due to the increased likelihood of dental procedures being needed with age.

At Smiles, our dentists and hygienists work with anxious patients every day. With their expert approach, knowledge and calming manner, they can soothe all manner of anxieties while ensuring your oral health stays in great condition. What’s more, they can ensure early warning signs of dental health issues are spotted and treated – something which actually reduces stress and anxiety in the long term.

Taking the stress out of dentistry

We take pride in offering a wide range of dentist and dental hygiene services, and we aim to make every dentist visit as stress-free and comfortable as possible. With a choice of sedation methods and patient-focused approaches, we take your wellbeing and peace of mind as seriously as we take your oral health.

If you feel stressed or anxious about visiting the dentist, it’s really important you communicate this with us. We treat nervous patients every day, and we’re more than happy to put you at ease and make your visit as pleasant as possible. Let’s take a closer look at dental anxiety and stress and how to overcome these common issues.

Why are people afraid of the dentist?

There are several causes of stress, fear and anxiety when it comes to visiting the dentist. However, most of these fears are completely irrational – not helped, of course, by negative portrayals of dentists in books and films. Our dentists have one key aim: to look after your dental health. While it may feel stressful to go to the dentist, your dental appointments are an important aspect of your overall wellbeing. Here are some of the most common fears relating to dental procedures, as well as the reassuring reality behind each one.

I’m afraid of needles

We get it – needles can be scary. Most of the time, it’s the anticipation of the injection that causes anxiety rather than the actual sensation of being injected (which is little more than a mild scratch). Numbing injections are a vital aspect of dentistry, and the miniscule discomfort of getting injected with a local anaesthetic is there entirely for your own benefit. If this is a real cause of stress for you, speak to your dentist. They can offer you a range of sedation options, as well as practical solutions like applying a numbing gel to the gums to make injections even more painless and unnoticeable.

I’m scared of not being in control during dental procedures

A lot of patients have anxieties around the thought of someone putting their hands in their mouth, or not being able to see what’s going on when the dentist is altering their teeth. If this sounds familiar, have a chat with your dentist before any procedure – they’ve got plenty of approaches to make you feel more comfortable. Sometimes it just helps to be spoken to constantly throughout each stage of a treatment, or you could agree on a hand signal to show you want to take a break.

I’m worried I’ll need fillings or other procedures

Nobody likes getting bad news when they go to the dentist, or finding out that they’ll need a filling, root canal treatment or other procedures. If you feel anxious about this, bear in mind that such procedures exist to stop issues or discomfort from getting worse. Your dentist is there to help you – they won’t recommend any procedures that aren’t necessary for your oral health. What’s more, early intervention can help stop toothache, decay, or more serious issues from arising.

I’ve had bad experiences in the past

A lot of stress surrounding dentist visits comes from bad childhood experiences and memories. When we are children, we often experience the world with heightened emotions and sitting in the dentist chair can be an intimidating experience. It’s important to remember that dentistry has come a long way over the past decade or two. At Smiles, we are proud of our modern practices and contemporary methods. Consider visiting a practice or take time to read some testimonials – your perceptions are likely vastly outdated!

Five ways to handle stress and fear of the dentist

It’s perfectly normal to be apprehensive or nervous about any dental procedure. However, there are a number of things we can all do to overcome stress and make visits to the dentist easier and more pleasant.
• Identify what is making you nervous. Most fears are irrational – once we stop and consider them rationally, they become less intimidating. Take the time to talk through your worries with your dentist. They can explain any procedures and answer all your questions.
• Schedule visits first thing in the morning. This is an interesting psychological trick – by arranging your procedures earlier in the day, you won’t spend hours worrying about or overthinking your appointments prior to your visit.
• Communicate your needs. Rest assured, your dentist treats nervous and stressed patients every day. They want you to feel comfortable during your appointment, and can offer sensory comforts like headphones, blankets or gentle sedation to keep you calm.

Staying positive to overcome dental stress and anxiety

Keeping a positive and level-headed mindset is a powerful tool for overcoming stress. We’d highly recommend spending some time reading some of the patient testimonials on our practice pages. All these reviews were written by people just like you, who most probably had plenty of their own anxieties before their Smiles appointments.

By staying positive, recognising the benefits that good dental care can bring and looking forward to better oral health, your stress surrounding the dentist can become more manageable.

Find your nearest Smiles clinic and book your appointment today.

Sources

*CORA Dental anxiety prevalence and surgery environment factors

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