WHAT IS DENTOPHOBIA DENTAL ANXIETY

May 29, 2023 3 min read

What Is Dentophobia Dental Anxiety | Great Oral Health

A phobia can be described as a kind of anxiety disorder that can cause intense, unfounded fear of an event, living thing, place or even an object.

Some people have dentophobia when a person suffers from this particular fear of visiting the dentist or even going to the dentist. Dentophobia can be the cause of Previous negative experiences, such as family histories or uncontrollable feelings that can result in dental fear.

Sometimes referred to as Odontophobia. Seeing dental instruments (scaler, drill, forceps) can trigger dental fear.

If you don’t have any idea about this phobia? Here we will discuss DENTOPHOBIA VS DENTAL ANXIETY, its causes and more.

 

WHAT IS A PHOBIA?

Phobias are an anxiety-related disorder. They can cause excessive fear about the event or circumstance, which isn't really harmful.

Dentophobia is one of the types of phobia that is specific to an event (going into the dental office) and causes an anxious response.

 

WHAT IS THE CAUSE OF DENTOPHOBIA?

Dental phobia can cause by:

Previous Experiences

The main reason for the majority of phobias, including dentophobia generally, is that they're caused by a prior painful incident. It is the reason that most behavioural psychologists have agreed on. If the patient has an experience in the past that is particularly unpleasant, stress levels and anxiety may get higher, particularly when the patient suffered a terrible experience on the first visit to the dentist. Any subsequent trips could become unnecessarily stressful mentally.

Genetics

At first glance, it's unlikely to think that being nervous about dentists probing the gums of your mouth could be inherited. It is accepted within the medical world that an earlier disposition could be handed down through genetic inheritance from parents. Family members that are believed to be afflicted by other phobias or are prone to anxiety, in general, can affect a person's mental stability. It's important to recognize that anxiety disorders may originate from multiple factors. This includes the environment, prior injuries as well as genetics.

Discover More: Dental Myths And Facts–Find Out More

 

HOW DENTAL ANXIETY OR PHOBIA CAN AFFECT YOUR ORAL HEALTH

Fear of visiting the dentist could lead to dental problems that can become worse and need more urgent treatments or more complicated procedures. The condition can further feed the root cause of anxiety about dental visits. It is referred to as the 'vicious circle of anxiety' over the teeth.

Regular check-ups of the dental system, cleanings as well as X-rays for the teeth are a great way to prevent the development of dental diseases and aid the dentist in identifying issues early so that less complicated and less intrusive treatment options are required. 

Regular visits to dentists will help to diagnose any signs of oral cancer and mouth cancer, which is particularly crucial for people with a history of oral cancer. This is especially important for those who e-liquids or drink alcohol on a regular basis, and more especially for people who have both. 

Common dental problems are caused by lifestyle and are preventable. When you avoid visiting the dentist in the first place, you're not just more likely to require advanced treatments once you finally visit the dentist, but you're being deprived of learning you can better take care of your dental health.

Therefore, maintaining a good oral routine with our products and making sure to floss your teeth at least twice per day is vital.

 

HOW TO MANAGE DENTAL ANXIETY OR PHOBIA

You can manage dental anxiety by taking these steps:

  • Meditation
  • Relaxation
  • Communication
  • Practice deep breathes
  • Visit the psychologist to get genitive behavioral therapy

 

FAQS

How common are dentophobia and dental fear?

One of the most important things to keep in mind is the fact that anxiety about dental visits (no regardless of how minor) is common. Twenty-five percent of those people in the UK suffer from it, according to BDA (British Dental Association).

Is dental anxiety a mental illness?

Dental anxiety should not be perceived as an ongoing mental disorder but instead, as an intense fear or phobia associated with dental procedures and treatments.

Why Is Overcoming Dentophobia Important?

Overcoming dentophobia is essential as it allows individuals to receive necessary dental care, maintain oral health, and avoid existing dental conditions that could necessitate more extensive treatments down the line.


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