Dental Phobia
Overcoming Your Fears

Dental phobia is one of the biggest challenges that keep people from getting good dental health care. Though it may not seem like a serious problem to those who think dental care is a breeze, it is actually a very serious problem among those affected by the phobia. A phobia is often defined as an irrational fear, and in most cases, it often gets extreme.

Dental phobia has affected around 15% of the total number of Americans who unfortunately has missed out on proper dental care due to their extreme, unexplained fears. And a bigger number of Americans suffer from milder forms of the phobia. The condition is reportedly more common among younger people and among women. This is essentially a psychological and behavioral problem, but it easily becomes a physical problem once the person starts experiencing dental problems and is not able to seek proper treatment.

Here’s what you need to know about dental phobia and how to deal with it.

What is Dental Phobia?

A few things to know to understand dental phobia:

• The Facts on the Dental Phobia
• Causes of the Unexplained Fear
• Diagnosis of the Phobia

1. The Facts On The Phobia

Dental phobia, by definition, is an unexplained fear of dentistry and of seeking dental care. It is also known as dentophobia or odontophobia. It can also be manifest in fear of anything related to dental care, even material objects.

In mild forms, the affected person usually experiences anxiety and hesitation in facing dental treatment, but it is not as invasive as more severe forms of the phobia. In moderate forms, the phobia may cause panic attacks. In extreme cases, the fear may be paralyzing and can cause serious trauma.

Aside from the short-term effects of the phobia, it can also have effects on a person’s entire life. People who suffer from dentophobia usually spend a lot of time thinking and stressing about their teeth and dental care. Some cases of the phobia can also be an effect or a related symptom of certain psychiatric conditions, such as general anxiety disorders and depression.

2. Causes Of The Unexplained Fear

Most cases of the phobia are triggered by any dental experience that is severely painful to the point of being traumatic. This is further reinforced by negative experiences or comments that they hear from other people. Some cases are also attributed to dentists who are indifferent and insincere, and some reported cases were also related to negative remarks from dentists.

Also, in most cases, only dental emergencies are effective in making dental phobic people seek the treatment they need. But by the time they seek treatment, the problems could already be worse and their treatment will be more challenging than usual. The situation then goes around in a vicious cycle where the treatment the phobic person sought further reinforced the fear they already felt.

3. Diagnosis Of Dental Anxiety

Phobia of dental care is often diagnosed using a fear measurement instrument like Corah’s Dental Anxiety Scale or the Modified Dental Anxiety Scale. These tests help measure the level of fear you feel when faced with thoughts or the prospect of going to the dentist.

How to Treat Dental Phobia

Due to its detrimental effects, dental phobia is considered a serious condition that requires treatment. Dental phobia is treated using various behavioral treatments, and there are also a lot of special clinics that can help people handle their phobias. Treatment of the phobia usually involve dentists and psychologists who work together to help people overcome their dental fears.

Behavioral treatments often involve techniques that help people relax; some examples are progressive muscle relaxation and breathing exercises. Systematic desensitization is also an effective method of overcoming the phobia. This means that the patient is first taken through relaxation techniques, then gradually exposed to an object associated with dental care, and the patient will be encouraged to use the relaxation techniques he or she learned to find relief from the fear.

Aside from that, other treatment options include cognitive treatments that guide people’s psychological health in fighting the fears. As supplementary treatments, dentists also use pharmacological techniques such as sedation, anesthetics, and medications that help relieve anxiety.

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