If you are fearful of going to the dentist, you are not alone. Dental anxiety and phobia are extremely common—it’s estimated that 9% to 15% of North Americans avoid seeing the dentist because of their fear. This translates into somewhere between 3.25 to 5.5 million people just in Canada.

The Sullivan Heights Dental staff has additional training in working with patients who have fears around their dental visit. Dr. Himmat Bajwa is also specially trained in sedation dentistry which utilizes select medications to help patients relax during their appointment.

Is it Anxiety or Phobia?

The words “anxiety” and “phobia” are often used interchangeably, but they are two different issues:

Dental anxiety is milder than phobia. The level of anxiety can vary, and in some cases it’s quite severe. A person with anxiety will have a sense of uneasiness before his or her dental appointment. There may be exaggerated worries or fears, and difficulty sleeping the night before going to the dentist. Directly before or during the dental visit, symptoms range from physical changes (e.g. clammy palms, perspiration, heart palpitations and tight muscles) to more intense reactions like nausea, severe headaches or ‘fight-or-flight’ response.

Dental phobia is a more serious condition. It’s an acute fear or dread of going to the dentist. People with dental phobia aren’t merely anxious, they are terrified and will do anything to avoid going to the dentist. He or she may put it off for years, and will suffer gum disease and/or tooth decay on their own until an emergency situation arises and a general anesthetic is required to repair the damage.

Avoiding the dentist also has emotional costs for this group as their dental health falters, they are less likely to want to expose their discoloured or broken teeth. Self-esteem is usually low for people who suffer from dental phobia.

Causes of Dental Anxiety

Research over the years has identified the main causes of dental anxiety in patients to be one or more of the following:

1. Low pain threshold
2. Poor or traumatic past dental experience
3. Feeling a lack of control during treatment
4. Mood disorders, PTSD and/or mental illness

Talking with your dentist will help him or her assess your level of anxiety or phobia. This will enable both of you to put together a plan for how to cope, and to feel more comfortable while at the dentist.

Solutions for Dental Anxiety

The number one solution is effective communication on both sides. As the patient, you need to be assertive and proactive. Tell your dentist in advance about your feelings, concerns and fears. He or she will help you overcome these feelings by changing the way you are treated.

Ensure that the dentist you have chosen has experience working with dental anxiety and phobia. Dentists who understand anxiety are focussed on being honest and open, speak gently, ask for permission and check in with the patient often. Dr. Bajwa also meets with patients about their concerns in the conference room, rather than the treatment room.

Distractions during treatment also work well. Get your mind off of what’s happening in your mouth or beside the chair by listening to soothing music through headphones, watching a favourite show or finding a light movie.

Medical sedation is a technique offered by some dental clinics to help patients better manage pain or stress. The most common in-office options are oral conscious sedation or nitrous oxide (also known as “laughing gas”).

Enjoy small comforts. Consider what will make you feel more comfortable before and during your treatment, then speak with your dentist about what he/she can do to help. At Sullivan Heights Dental, we have warm blankets and pillows available. Some people find tea, aromatherapy, meditation or breathing exercises help promote relaxation before a stressful situation.

Solutions for Dental Phobia

Most phobias are best treated with the help of a mental health professional. Others find support groups helpful, or treatments such as acupuncture, acupressure or hypnosis.

Do you struggle with a fear of the dentist or have a question about dental anxiety? Contact us for an appointment.