Dental anxiety impacts millions of people in the United States. While many people have dental anxiety, some people have a serious fear of the dentist that rises to a phobia. For those who have either, it can result in skipping the dentist. There are serious consequences to avoiding the dentist. In fact, poor oral health not only impacts your mouth but it can also impact your overall health. Consider the following dental anxiety and phobia differences, and why you shouldn’t let your fears impact your health.
Dental Anxiety and Phobia Differences
Dental anxiety and dental phobia are often used interchangeably. They can both result in people avoiding the dentist. While there are some similarities, there are unique differences between the two. Below you will find more information about the key differences between dental anxiety and dental phobia.
Dental Anxiety
Anxiety around going to the dentist is really common. In fact, more than one-third of Americans have dental anxiety. This can be due to a number of issues such as a fear of needles, discomfort with having dental tools in your mouth, the sound of the dental tools, or even some of the smells associated with the dentist. Because being in the dental chair can be vulnerable, it’s understandable that some people may feel uneasy about their next dental appointment.
Dental anxiety can be minor or severe. For some people, they may feel some uneasiness right before their appointment. However, in more severe cases, it may cause other people to avoid their appointment altogether. If you have postponed going to the dentist for more than six months due to dental anxiety, it’s time to address your dental anxiety. Talk with your dentist about your options so you never avoid the dentist again.
Dental Phobia
Dental phobia is a more intense form of dental anxiety. Unlike dental anxiety, a dental phobia can be pervasive and it is much less common. The issue is characterized by really strong feelings of being both overwhelmed and terrified. For many people, their dental phobia was caused by a traumatic issue. This is completely understandable as traumatic experiences can leave a serious imprint on you. However, avoiding the dentist due to your dental phobia can be harmful to your oral health and overall health.
Understanding if you actually have dental phobia is an important step when it comes to your oral health journey. Signs that you may have dental phobia include feeling intensely nervous in the days and hours before your appointment. In severe cases it can also include feeling physically ill, an inability to eat or sleep, intense emotions or crying, and even having trouble breathing. A dental phobia can be very impactful on your health so it’s important to prioritize addressing the issue.
Sedation Dentistry in Cerritos
There are a number of ways to address your mindset around the dentist. Talk therapy, bringing a friend, and even mindfulness can all help alleviate your strong feelings and help you relax. However, it can take some time to fully process your dental anxiety or phobia. In the meantime, you need to visit the dentist in order to ensure your rural health stays in good shape.
Patients who have dental anxiety or dental phobias can benefit from sedation dentistry in Cerritos. Sedation dentistry comes in a number of forms, including oral conscious sedation and IV sedation. The type of sedation that is right for you will depend on your unique needs. The first step in seeing if sedation dentistry is right for you is by setting up an appointment. You can talk with your dentist in Cerritos about the issue to see if sedation dentistry is right for you.
