Symptoms and Causes of Dental Anxiety and Phobia
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Symptoms and Causes of Dental Anxiety and Phobia
Dr. Katherine Galina writes for the Los Angeles dentist, City Dental (http://www.citydentalonline.com/). The City Dental staff specializes in general and cosmetic dentistry, with a commitment to the highest standards in patient care. Visit www.citydentalonline.com for more information!
Visiting the dentist isn’t typically on most people’s list of top 10 activities. Yet for some people, going to the dentist can cause strong feelings of anxiety and, in extreme cases, dental phobia. While the terms “anxiety” and “phobia” are sometimes used interchangeably, they are actually two different conditions that affect people in different ways:
Dental Anxiety: refers to a feeling of uneasiness that occurs during the time of a dental appointment, along with exaggerated fears and worries associated with the visit.
Dental Phobia: used to describe an extreme fear of visiting the dentist. Symptoms include trouble sleeping the night before the visit, crying or getting physically ill in the waiting room, and difficulty breathing during the appointment.
Both conditions can result in poor oral health due to a serious lack of proper professional dental care. There are many reasons that can lead to a person’s particular behavioral condition; however, studies show that common themes exist regarding dental anxiety and dental phobia.
Fear:
The most common reason for dental anxiety and phobia is being afraid of the pain associated with dental procedures. Perhaps you have had a painful dental experience in the past – before many advances had been made to lower pain caused by dentistry. Fear of needles and anesthesia are also common reasons for dental anxiety or phobia.
Shame:
Feeling embarrassed or ashamed when another person is looking into your mouth can lead to dental anxiety or dental phobia. Your mouth is a part of your body that is private and intimate, and you may not feel comfortable allowing other people to get close and examine it. A lack of personal space might also cause you to feel uncomfortable or ashamed.
Vulnerability:
A loss of control over certain situations is a common reason why people develop phobias. Most dental procedures require you to sit back and allow the dentist to perform procedures that you cannot see or may not understand. Not knowing what is going on or what might hurt can cause you to feel helpless and anxious about the dentist.
Overcoming Dental Anxiety and Phobia:
If you’re continually feeling symptoms of anxiety or phobia and it is affecting your oral health, speak with your dentist. Your dentist can make you feel more comfortable by discussing your concerns and fears, adjusting treatments and techniques, and giving you more control of the situation. In severe cases, your dentist can refer you to a behavioral or mental health specialist.
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