Many people have a fear of the dentist, also called dentaphobia. These people feel anxious even when they think about going to the dentist.

Do you also feel anxious when going to the dentist? This is actually quite normal. The important point here is the degree of your anxiety.

Let's explain in detail what distinguishes fear of the dentist from normal anxiety, what are the symptoms and how you can cope with this fear.

Dentist Fear: Dentophobia!

Dentist Fear

Dentist fear, also known as dentophobia, is a common fear found in many people. These individuals feel anxious even at the thought of going to the dentist.

Do you feel anxious when going to the dentist? This is actually a quite normal situation. The important point here is the degree of your anxiety...

Let's delve into what distinguishes dentist fear from normal anxiety, what its symptoms are, and how you can cope with this fear in detail.

Overcoming Fear in 5 Steps

Dentist Fear

The first recommendation for dentist fear is always to seek help from a psychologist. This way, you can learn the root cause of your fear and get professional support.

We've compiled methods that people with dentist fear have tried and found helpful. You can also try these. However, you should not push yourself too hard in this regard and seek professional help when you feel stuck.

1. Exposure:

First, you can try exposing yourself to dental tools and visuals. This will help you become familiar with the objects in the environment.

2. Relaxation Techniques:

While looking at these tools or visuals, you can practice various relaxation breathing techniques.

3. Visualization:

Next, you can imagine yourself in a dental clinic and convince yourself in your mind that this is normal.

4. Visits without Treatment:

In the next stage, you can visit dental clinics without undergoing any procedures. This way, you can convince your brain that there is no danger in that environment.

5. Actual Dental Visit:

In the final stage, if you truly feel confident, you can go for a dental examination.

It is crucial to work with a dentist who understands your fear and approaches you correctly. The dentist's attitude can either reduce or trigger your fears.

When seeking professional help, cognitive-behavioral therapy and exposure therapy can be used to overcome your fear. Your doctor will decide which path to take to help you conquer your fear.

Symptoms of Dentist Fear

Dentist Fear

We all feel a certain level of anxiety when going to the hospital. The procedures to be performed, our health conditions, and painful treatment processes can intimidate anyone. These situations are quite human and normal.

So, what distinguishes normal pre-dental visit anxiety from dentophobia?

Dentist Fear Symptoms

  • Experiencing high levels of anxiety even for a routine examination.
  • Avoiding going to the dentist even with severe toothaches.
  • Not seeking dental care despite knowing that dental health is deteriorating.
  • Experiencing severe panic attacks and distress before dental treatment.
  • Experiencing severe nausea due to stress before dental treatment.

Dentist phobia affects about five percent of the population, according to research. If left untreated, it can seriously affect people's health.

Why Do Adults Fear the Dentist?

There can be many different reasons for dentist fear. Additionally, you may experience dentist fear without any specific reason.

Some patients are scared of the procedures rather than the dentist themselves.

Here are some procedures that scare patients:

Dentist Fear
  • Fear of Anesthesia: Some people fear that anesthesia won't numb their body, leaving them immobile but still able to feel all the pain.
  • Blood: Hemophobia affects many people. Even a small bleeding during dental treatment can cause excessive anxiety.
  • Pain Sensitivity: Individuals who are extra sensitive to pain worry about treatment processes.
  • Fear of Needles: Some people fear the needles used during dental procedures.

All of these can be the underlying fears beneath the fear of the dentist. Working on these issues and solving them can alleviate the fears of people with dentophobia.

Triggers of Dentist Fear

Dentist Fear

Dentist fear can be triggered by various factors, leading a person to experience it over time. One factor is the family.

Having family members with anxiety and various phobias can trigger this fear. Additionally, the approach of the family to the child from a young age can also lead to a fear of dentists.

Another factor is the feeling of embarrassment. Some people may feel uncomfortable being close to a dentist's face. They may worry about bad breath or the appearance of their teeth, which can trigger their fears.

Listening to horrific dentist stories from childhood or adulthood can also lead to this phobia. While we all hear tons of stories every day, some people may be extra sensitive to this topic.

For those triggered by these situations:

  • Shivering
  • Palpitations
  • Excessive sweating
  • Shortness of breath
  • Trembling
  • Stomach discomfort can be observed.

Conclusion

Dentist fear, also known as dentophobia, is a common fear that can have serious consequences if left unaddressed. It's important to recognize the symptoms, triggers, and underlying reasons for this fear. Seeking professional help and using various coping mechanisms can help individuals overcome their fear of the dentist and maintain their oral health.