Scared of Dentists and Needles?
Helpful Tips to Manage Dental Fear Before Teeth Become a 'Pain'
If you're afraid of dentists, never fear: Use these tips to find a DDS that caters to nervous patients, and check into new options that could minimize drilling and pain.
Odontophobia is the fear of all things dental. It’s been estimated that up to 50% of Americans shudder when asked to “open wide”, with a third not seeing a dentist in the previous year, according to the 2000 U.S. surgeon general’s oral health report..
A mild dread is called dental anxiety; a severe case is termed dental phobia. Total avoidance of dentists is worrisome, given that ongoing neglect can lead to pain, tooth abscess, periodontal disease, and even social impairment if dentist “avoiders” are embarrassed to smile.
Why are You Afraid of Dentists?
Studies show fear of dentists can often be traced to a bad childhood experience, like not being fully numb during drilling. Other potential fears include needles, pain, being out of control, gagging, and numbness.
Some worry they’ll be ridiculed by the dentist for the state of their teeth. Horror stories about a procedure gone wrong may have been passed down from family. And then there’s the pervasive negative media portrayal of dentists (think Steve Martin in Little Shop of Horrors).
What to Do
1) Find the Right Dentist
Put the word out that you’re seeking a compassionate, fear-friendly dentist. Dentist locater services and local dental associations can simplify your search. Narrowing your hunt to those who “cater to cowards” is an OK place to start, but remember that treating anxious patients is not a recognized dental specialty and anyone can make the claim. Dig deeper. Check the office website for information. Then call to get details and gauge the overall tone of the practice. A good receptionist will respectfully answer your questions.
Experts often recommend first scheduling a no-treatment, consultation-only appointment as a non-threatening way to see if you click with the staff before committing to anything else.
2) Consider Treatment Options
Low-tech strategies such as agreeing upon a hand signal for you to signal “stop” can go a long way in alleviating anxiety. Distraction techniques like headphones may also help.
Explore anesthetic choices. Many offices offer inhalation anesthetics - most commonly nitrous oxide (“laughing gas”) – to help relax you and contribute to pain relief. Taking a sedating pill before treatment (oral conscious sedation) is another option. IV sedation involves being conscious but having no memory of the procedure and is only offered by specially trained practitioners. General anesthesia (being totally asleep) has the greatest risks and is usually reserved for extreme cases.
Also ask your dentist if he/she offers any of these:
- Painless injections: Topical (above the gum) or mouthrinse anesthetics, Novocain-like patches, or computer-assisted injection systems
- Air abrasion: Like a tiny sandblaster; best suited for very small cavities
- Lasers: for cavity removal and other procedures
- Cranial Electrostimulation: Painless, patient-controlled device to promote relaxation via electrode ear clips
3) Seek Help if Necessary
Despite your best efforts, if you’re not making progress in alleviating your fear and it’s severe enough to keep you from getting care, you may need to seek professional assistance or find a self-help group. Phobia clinics often recognize and treat dental fear. Strategies like relaxation techniques, hypnosis, behavior modification therapy, or desensitization have been shown to help.
Don’t suffer in silence!
