For many, a visit to the dentist is a routine part of life. However, for some, it can trigger feelings of stress, fear or unease. This is known as Dental Anxiety and these feelings can range from mild nervousness to severe fear (dental phobia). Triggers vary from person to person and may include the thought of an upcoming appointment, the sound of a dental drill or even the smell of a dental practice. Unfortunately, dental anxiety can lead patients to avoid dental appointments which can have serious consequences for oral health.
According to Dental Phobia, up to 53% of the UK population are anxious about visiting their dentist and 17% of the population have such a bad fear of dentistry that they refuse to visit and avoid seeking essential dental care.
This avoidance can exacerbate oral health problems and the anxiety itself can affect overall well-being, contributing to chronic stress and negatively impacting mental health.
So here are my tips to managing dental anxiety:
- Communicate how you feel. Share your concerns with your dentist before your appointment. At Optimal Dental Health, the dentists prioritise open communication, ensuring patients feel heard. By knowing how you feel, your dentist will adapt their approach to help ease your anxiety. Hand signals during the appointment can also let the dentist know if you need to pause and take a break.
- Bring support. Having a trusted friend or family member accompany you during appointments can provide reassurance and comfort.
- Use relaxation techniques. Practise mindfulness, relaxation or breathing exercises to calm your mind before and during your appointment. There are many relaxation techniques available so find one that works best for you. Regular practice of these techniques will prepare you to use them effectively when needed.
- Imagery. Whilst sitting in the dentist chair, visualise a happy or relaxing place and think about funny or positive past memories. This technique can help calm and relax your mind, soothing your anxiety.
- Take one step at a time. Begin with a simple check-up to build trust and confidence with your dentist.
- Distraction. Music is a great tool to alleviate anxiety. Bring headphones to listen to your favourite calming playlist. At Optimal Dental Health, there are TVs above the chair for you to watch a programme or film during your appointment.
- Identify the cause. Dental anxiety can arise from various sources such as previous negative experiences, fear of pain or discomfort during a procedure, the feeling of losing control while sitting in the dental chair or embarrassment about the condition of your teeth. By understanding the root cause and identifying what specifically triggers your anxiety, you can explore effective strategies to manage it.
- Challenge negative thoughts. Anxiety is often fuelled by negative thinking so challenge these thoughts and replace them with more helpful and positive ones.
- Create a personalised anxiety-reducing list. It is hard to think clearly when you feel anxious so write down strategies that help you manage anxiety. Having a list prepared ensures you have a plan when feelings of anxiety arise.
- Get professional support. If you are struggling to manage your dental anxiety on your own, reach out for help. It is important to not suffer alone and get overwhelmed by how you are feeling. Seeking support is a sign of strength and courage and working with a psychotherapist can empower you to take control of your anxiety and positively transform your experience of visiting the dentist.
If dental anxiety is holding you back from achieving optimal oral health, remember that you are not alone-it is a common experience. With the right support and strategies, you can overcome your fears and embrace dental care as an essential part of your overall health.
For more guidance on coping with dental anxiety or general anxiety please get in touch with Alison Goolnik .
