Dental anxiety is common regardless of age. Millions of Americans have admitted that they either experience mild anxiety around going to the dentist or they have a phobia about seeing their dentist. In fact, when asked about why adults skip the dentist, one of the most commonly brought up reasons is dental anxiety. For many adults, negative experiences they had as a child or other anxieties can make it difficult to go to the dentist. Like with any anxieties or fears, understanding their origins can often help lead to actionable solutions. That said, the biggest impact on how you feel at the dentist is which dentist you go to. Going to a dental office that understands and prioritizes your comfort can be the biggest factor in how you feel about your oral health. In fact, you will often notice that dentists who understand and combat dental anxiety will have reviews online about how shocking it was to have such a positive dental experience in spite of their existing fears.
What Causes Dental Phobia For Adults?
Like with anything regarding human psychology, dental anxiety is unique from patient to patient. It is not as simple as stating that everyone who is nervous about the dentist has the same root causes and potential solutions. That said there are some common reasons that often come up.
- Past Experiences: If you went to a dentist or other healthcare provider as a child or even in your young adult life and had a terrible experience it can erode your trust in healthcare providers and make it difficult to schedule another appointment.
- Loss Of Control: For many people, sitting in a dentist’s chair is enough to cause stress. Having someone else poking around in your mouth might make someone extremely uncomfortable.
- General Anxiety: People who already have anxiety in general might struggle with dental visits. For example, having anxieties about interacting with strangers or being in certain social situations can be elevated at a dental office.
How To Manage Dental Fears
As we stated earlier, one of the biggest factors for your dental anxiety will be where you go. You want to find a dentist that understands dental anxiety and provides solutions. Some solutions include distraction in the form of TVs in the office or the ability to listen to calming music or a podcast during your dental visit. Other options can include bringing a family member or friend to your appointment who can sit with you in the exam room. One of the easiest solutions is working with a dental team to provide signals for when you need them to stop or slow down. Regaining control during your dental visit can help alleviate stress.
Schedule Dental Visits in Swampscott MA
For families in Swampscott Massachusetts, our team is here to help. We pride ourselves on a modern dental office that provides high-quality dental care. For more information, please give us a call.