What is said to be the best technique method available that can to help manage dental anxiety?

For many people, going to the dentist is an unpleasant but manageable experience. For others, just the thought of going to the dentist causes severe anxiety, leading them to delay or avoid dental treatment. Unfortunately, this behavior can spiral into a vicious cycle of dental pain, health problems, worse anxiety, and more complex and costly dental procedures.

Dental anxiety and phobia

It’s very common for people to fear going to the dentist. When dental fear is severe and leads people to delay or cancel treatment, these individuals may meet criteria for dental phobia or odontophobia, which is included in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition as a type of phobia. There are many different reasons for and triggers of dental anxiety. For some, they have had a previous traumatic experience; for others, they are extremely afraid of needles. Because the origin of fear can vary from patient to patient, it is critical that you identify your fears and share this with your dentist or another health care professional.

If you experience dental anxiety or phobia, here are some tips to ensure you maintain your oral health and receive comfortable dental care.

Prevention and the mouth-body connection

The best way to avoid complex dental procedures and pain is to regularly visit your dentist. Not only will your dentist diagnose problems and help you prevent future issues, but he or she will also help manage your oral health as part of your general health. Your mouth is the gateway to your body. For example, people with type 2 diabetes are more likely to have periodontitis, a type of bone and gum disease, which could lead to tooth loss. In fact, studies have shown that controlling diabetes can help control gum and bone health, and vice versa.

Managing pain

Many people fear the dentist because they are afraid of pain. There are several ways to manage this during and after dental treatment. Most commonly, dentists will use topical and local anesthesia. Topical anesthesia is a numbing gel that can help ease the insertion of a thin needle used to deliver local anesthesia. The local anesthesia will take effect within minutes, typically last for several hours, and numbs just the area that your dentist needs to complete the procedure. Furthermore, depending on the type of procedure, your dentist may advise one or more of the following to minimize pain and swelling after your visit: ice, oral rinses, over-the-counter pain medication (such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen), or prescription medication. Following these directions is critical to your recovery.

Managing anxiety

It is highly encouraged that you explore a combination of the following options to reduce dental anxiety prior to considering medications. Relaxation exercises such as focused breathing and meditation can successfully slow your heart rate and put you at ease. Many people find bringing distractions to the dental chair to be effective. Examples include headphones for music or podcasts, and a stress relief ball that can be squeezed with your hands to release tension during the procedure. Additionally, some patients find comfort in bringing a friend or family member to the appointment. Another approach, cognitive behavioral therapy (which is also used for other forms of phobias), aims to change both negative thoughts and actions. Consult your dentist or another health care professional to find out what option is best for you.

Medications to reduce dental anxiety

There are several ways that your dentist can help reduce your anxiety with medications through different levels of sedation. Your dentist may prescribe anti-anxiety drugs, such as diazepam (Valium), that you can take one hour before a scheduled dental visit. Your dentist may also recommend conscious sedation, such as nitrous oxide (or “laughing gas”), which can help calm nerves. You will still have control over your bodily functions, and this medication is applied only during the procedure. Lastly, general anesthesia, which puts you into a deep sleep, may be recommended for more invasive surgeries of the jaw, or for those with special needs or severe anxiety that prevents routine care from being possible. Some of these options may not be advised depending on your medical health, so be sure to tell your dentist about your health conditions and medications.

Take-away messages

Ultimately, managing your dental anxiety will involve a combination of the above options. Talk with your dentist and explain exactly what makes you nervous about the visit. Your dentist will do a careful review of your medical history in order to make safe recommendations while considering your overall health. And lastly, visit your dentist regularly even if you are not in dental pain. This is the best way to prevent painful experiences and more complex and costly procedures.

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Did you know that an estimated 30 to 40 million Americans live with the fear of going to the dentist? This condition, called dental anxiety, has been putting a lot of Americans’ oral health at risk.  

What Exactly is Dental Anxiety?

Dental anxiety, also called ‘dental fear’, is a condition that manifests in many ways and is experienced to different degrees. Dental fear causes people to lose sleep before their scheduled dental appointment. They may also feel uneasy while waiting for their turn or completely avoid going to the dentist altogether. While we have yet to find categorically factual and proven causes for dental fear, available literature states that most people who admit to having it usually attribute the fear to negative past experiences. Others attribute their anxiety to the embarrassment of showing their mouths or fear of feeling helpless. Sometimes it’s just about having a negative general perception of dentists and dental procedures.  

People with dental anxiety (or worse, dental phobia) place their oral health and overall wellbeing at risk by delaying and foregoing a visit to the dentist. There are many things that a person can do to cope with fear. However, there is just as much that a dentist can do to help ease the patients’ anxiety.

7 Ways You Can Help Your Patients Deal with Dental Anxiety

From mastering small talk to creating distractions that will keep anxious patients’ minds off their fear, here are some ways you can help your patients ease up before their appointment:

Provide Ways to Assess Dental Fear

The best way to help combat anxiety is to know when the patient has it and to what degree this anxiety exists. There are many resources available on how to assess patient anxiety, like this multi-point questionnaire.

Offer Pre-Treatment Sessions Whenever Possible

Unless the patient’s case is particularly urgent, it may do him/her a lot of good to get a consultation before the actual treatment. This way the patient can get acquainted and comfortable with the dental chair. This would also be a good time for the dentist to explain the procedure in a careful and understandable way.

Create Good Distractions

Many people who admit to having dental anxiety, especially those who have had negative experiences with a dentist, say that some of their most common triggers include the sound of the drill or the smell of the dental facility. Drown out the noise of the drill by playing some calming music or mask the smell with something pleasant.

Develop Trust Through Good Communication

Proper communication is key to relieving dental anxiety. In one study, researchers found that patients’ memory of the pain they experience during their dental procedure is largely due to how their dentists treat them. It is important to speak calmly, to try to start small talk with patients, and most importantly to show that you empathize with their anxiety instead of being dismissive. Keep in mind that feelings of fear and discomfort are very real for them. Building trust and rapport with patients that suffer from dental anxiety requires them to know that you understand what they are going through.

Assert Professionalism

The most important factor in gaining a patient’s trust is to let them know that you are reliable and that you know exactly what you are doing. This reassures the patient that you will know how to perform the procedure in the quickest and least horrifying manner possible. You can achieve this by thoroughly and confidently explaining their diagnosis and the procedure. The patient may not always completely understand it with medical accuracy. However, they will gain confidence in you when they see how knowledgeable you are about their case.

Create a Professional Atmosphere

Trust is gained not only when the patients see how professional you, the dentist, are. Other things factor in such as the neatness of your office, the cleanliness of your linens and overall clinic, the friendliness of your staff, etc. Give them a reason to trust not only you but also your practice!

Wear the Right Uniforms

Visual cues are essential in creating a professional and reliable atmosphere for your anxious patients. Aside from ensuring your space is clean (and that certain sterilizing equipment is clearly visible), wearing the right uniforms matters. The sight of old, dirty, or poorly managed dental uniforms are discouraging and contrary to a professional and reliable image! Always make sure your lab coats are sparkly clean and, if using scrubs for yourself and your staff, pick calming colors.

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