How To Combat Dental Anxiety

Are you worried about visiting a dentist in Laurel, MD? Combating dental anxiety is easier than you may think. Learn more here.

Did you know that around 36% of people are afraid to visit the dentist? This fear may be so intense that some may refuse to visit the dentist altogether even when they may suffer from serious dental issues. This, of course, is not at all good when it comes to maintaining good oral health.

So, if you suffer from dental anxiety and don't want to visit a dentist in Laurel, MD, what should you do? Luckily, you'll learn all about how to overcome your fear of the dentist with the help of this article. As you read further, you'll be able to better understand what dental anxiety is, what might cause it, and how to treat it. 

By knowing more about this information, you no longer need to get yourself worked up when visiting the dentist. This not only will be beneficial for your oral health but your mental well-being as well. 



First, let's take a closer look at what dental anxiety is exactly. 

What Is Dental Anxiety?

Dental anxiety may go by different names, depending on its severity. For example, dental phobia is often worse than dental anxiety as it can include an intense and debilitating fear of going to the dentist. People with this phobia may even have panic attacks when visiting the dentist. 

More often than not, people with dental phobia will avoid going to the dentist unless they have an emergency oral problem. Even then, the phobia of some may be so severe that they will still resist visiting the dentist. People with dental phobia likely know that their fear doesn't make much sense, but this realization usually doesn't help to ease any fears. 

In the most severe cases, people with dental anxiety or phobia may need to get psychiatric help in order to soothe their fears. However, this severe type of dental anxiety is not too common, though less intense dental anxiety is more common than you might expect. 

Ordinary dental anxiety can include stress and anxiety that occurs when visiting the dentist or planning to visit the dentist. While people with this less severe kind of dental anxiety may be reluctant to visit the dentist, they usually will make themselves go when they know it's necessary. 



Many children tend to have dental anxiety, but often, this anxiety is grown out of over time. Other times, however, it can continue into adulthood. But what causes dental anxiety in the first place?

What Are the Causes of Dental Anxiety?

Dental anxiety does not have one exact cause but rather can be caused in many different ways. For example, some may have had a bad experience at the dentist when they were a child and ever since experienced anxiety and fear when they visit the dentist. For others, the trigger for dental anxiety may occur later in life. 

One of the most common causes of dental anxiety is the fear of experiencing pain. Of course, everyone has some fear about experiencing pain, but those who suffer from dental anxiety often amplify this fear until it becomes irrational. The fear of pain associated with the dentist may be instilled in someone due to a painful experience at the dentist. 

The fear of dental drills, picks, and needles is very common. Sometimes, stories of bad dental experiences can cause dental anxiety in some.

Beyond the fear of pain, some may experience fear of the anesthesia used to treat pain. This is because of the side effects of anesthesia which can include nausea and dizziness. These two main fears coincide with another common fear which is of losing control. 

When sitting in a dental chair, the person being treated is in a vulnerable position and has a lack of information about whatever treatments the dentist is utilizing. All these fears combined can often lead to dental anxiety or phobia. Common symptoms of dental phobia can include excessive sweating, increased heartbeat, tremors, and even fainting.



However, even though these fears can be very intense, there are ways to overcome them or at least lessen their intensity. 

How to Treat Dental Anxiety

The first step you need to take when treating dental anxiety is choosing the best dentist for you. Choosing a dentist that does not have your best interests at heart will not help you overcome your fears of visiting the dentist. In fact, choosing the wrong dentist may make your anxiety even worse. 

By choosing a dentist around Laurel, MD, that is patient and will take the time to understand your concerns, you can be sure that you're on the right track to overcoming anxiety. A good dentist will try to minimize your fears such as pain. Modern dentistry has plenty of methods that can completely eliminate any pain associated with certain procedures. 

A good dentist will also help you not to feel lost or powerless. If you're worried about what might happen during a procedure, you can ask your dentist to explain what they're doing so the procedure won't seem as threatening. If your dentist does not take your fears seriously, it's best to look for another dentist.

You can also work on your dental anxiety yourself by practicing relaxation exercises. For example, when visiting the dentist, try to breathe deeply and relax your body.



Meditation may also be very helpful as it can help to put your fears into perspective and to push them away. 

Finding a Dentist in Laurel, MD for Dental Anxiety

By the end of this article, you now know all about what dental anxiety is, how it might be caused, and what you can do about it. By choosing the right dentist in Laurel, MD, for you, you can be sure that your dental anxiety and fears will be minimized as much as possible.



To learn more, contact us here.