Feeling extreme anxiety about visiting the dentist is surprisingly common.
In fact, anywhere from 10-20% of Americans report having high dental anxiety that prevents them from scheduling checkups and procedures.
This phobia often starts after a painful or traumatic incident with a dentist.
At Saskatoon Dental Clinic, Dr. Gary Houseman strives to make patients feel heard when they share stories of past dental trauma.
Unfortunately, avoiding necessary dental work can lead to more health problems.
This article explores the psychology behind dental fear and tips for finding an understanding dentist.
Overcoming Anxiety from Past Dental Trauma
Getting an intensely painful filling or extraction as a child or teen can create lasting anxiety that makes patients dread or avoid future dental care.
However, not all dentists realize how much their bedside manner affects patients. Rushing procedures or dismissing patient discomfort can exacerbate fears.
Dr. Gary Houseman from Houseman & Associates, a Saskatoon Dental Clinic, shares about his experience with his patients:
“I tell new patients upfront to speak up if they feel any pain during a procedure. Unfortunately, past dentists may have ignored their discomfort.”
Applying more numbing gel or just taking a short break can make a procedure more tolerable.
“Many patients share stories of past dental trauma. I reassure them that we’ll work together so their experience here is calming and gentle.” – Dr. Gary Houseman, Houseman & Associates
Here, understanding psychology is the key. Painful memories get stored in the brain’s amygdala, which controls fear response.
This reaction can persist for years or even decades, making patients panic at the thought of another dental visit.
Staying calm and addressing patient concerns is crucial for avoiding retraumatization
Just How Common is Extreme Dental Anxiety?
Dental phobia impacts at least 75 million adults in the US alone. Let’s examine a few key dental anxiety statistics:
| Type of Anxiety | % of Patients Affected |
| Moderate Anxiety | 30-35% |
| High Anxiety | 10-20% |
| Extreme Phobia | 5-10% |
| Avoidance of Dental Care | Over 50% |
As shown in the table above, well over one-third of all adults have some degree of anxiety about visiting the dentist.
Women tend to have higher rates of dental anxiety, with some studies showing 60-65% of dental phobics being female.
Traumatic experiences in childhood also play a major role.
Consequences of Avoiding the Dentist
So what happens when a bad first experience causes someone to avoid dentists entirely?
Initially they may feel relief at not having to face their fears.
But over time, new problems can develop:
- Small cavities become large decayed areas needing root canals
- Gum disease progresses to advanced periodontal disease
- Cracked teeth worsen and require extraction
- Unsightly stains and discoloration appear
Putting off checkups and treatment often leads to more complex, expensive interventions being necessary down the line.
This understandably adds even more barriers to scheduling care. It becomes a self-perpetuating cycle.
Finding an Understanding Dentist
The good news is that with the right dentist, even extremely anxious patients can slowly overcome their fears. Seeking out providers experienced with anxious patients is crucial.
Characteristics of an Ideal Dentist for Phobic Patients
- Focused on creating a calm, welcoming office environment without loud sounds or harsh lighting
- Willing to spend extra time explaining procedures in detail
- Uses language patients can understand instead of complex dental terminology
- Explains what causes various dental sensations so they are less surprising
- Trained in using local anesthetic effectively so procedures are painless
- Stop immediately if patients say they are uncomfortable
- Will pause or reschedule procedures if patients are distressed
Patient testimonials can provide insight into a dentist’s approach.
Little Sarah, age 11, shares her experience when she got her dental treatment in The Little Tooth, a pediatric dental clinic in Saskatoon:
“My new dentist lets me listen to my favorite music during cleanings. I don’t feel anxious anymore because she knows how to make me comfortable.”
Relaxation Techniques to Make Dental Visits Easier
Trying relaxation methods like controlled breathing can reduce anxiety before and during appointments
Even with an understanding dentist, many phobic patients need extra help staying calm. Research shows that deep breathing, meditation, or listening to music can lower stress hormones during medical procedures.
Other tips include:
- Arriving early to settle in instead of rushing into the appointment
- Sharing anxiety coping strategies with the dentist beforehand
- Bringing a small comfort object like a smooth stone or fidget spinner
- Using noise-cancelling headphones with calming audio
- Choosing laughing gas sedation if very fearful
- Considering anti-anxiety premedication prescribed by a doctor
Having an empathetic dentist, along with personal coping methods, makes getting necessary dental care possible, even with trauma-related phobias.
Reestablishing trust can take time, but it is worthwhile to avoid declining oral health.
