Dental Anxiety Port St. Lucie, FL
Solutions to dental anxiety come in many forms. When left untreated, many dental problems only get worse. We can help empower patients with dental anxiety to take the necessary action to treat their underlying conditions.
Solutions to dental anxiety are available at St Lucie Center for Cosmetic Dentistry in Port St. Lucie and the surrounding area. Fear should never get in the way of your health. Call us at (772) 242-4124 to learn more and schedule an appointment today.
Understanding Dental Anxiety
Dental anxiety, also known as dental phobia, is a condition in which patients have a debilitating fear of the dentist. People with dental anxiety are aware that their fear is irrational, but have little to no means of managing it. They may be so panic-stricken by the prospect of seeing the dentist that they will only go when forced by extreme pain. Other common signs of dental anxiety include:
- Escalating feelings of nervousness in a dentist’s waiting room
- Feelings of intense unease at the thought of a dentist placing objects in the mouth during treatment
- Physical reactions at the thought of visiting the dentist
- Trouble sleeping the night before a dental appointment
At times, dental anxiety may get severe enough to be considered pathological. Patients who find that their dental anxiety severely impedes their normal functioning may benefit from psychiatric treatment.
“People with dental anxiety are aware that their fear is irrational, but have little to no means of managing it.”
Causes of Dental Anxiety
Patients of all ages and backgrounds can have dental anxiety. A multitude of factors may contribute to someone's unease at the prospect of being in the dentist's chair, including but not limited to fear of anesthesia, fear of injections, fear of pain, feelings of embarrassment, and feelings of helplessness.
All of the above are valid reasons to be anxious. Still, they do not have to overtake a patient's dental experience. Patients should be open and honest with their dentist about their anxieties, as this is the first step to phobia management. At St Lucie Center for Cosmetic Dentistry, we believe communication is key to a successful dentist-patient relationship.
“Patients should be open and honest with their dentist about their anxieties, as this is the first step to phobia management.”
Coping with Dental Anxiety
Dealing with a dismissive dentist may only make the problem worse. Therefore, the first step to managing dental anxiety is finding the right dentist. Patients should also ask office staff about any recommended coping strategies and agree on a signal to let the dentist know if they need to take a break.
Mindfulness techniques can also help. Patients may want to try breathing exercises or doing body scans while in the dentist's chair. Others may benefit from distracting themselves by doing things like wearing headphones or occupying their hands.
Additionally, patients should let the dentist know if they are particularly sensitive to pain, even with local anesthesia. There is no need for patients to feel embarrassed about asking questions or being open about their fear. This is the only way to develop a truly individualized plan to attack one's dental anxiety.
“There is no need for patients to feel embarrassed about asking questions or being open about their fear.”
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Dental Sedation
There are three main types of dental anesthesia: local, general, and sedation. Local anesthesia is administered in one area, typically used for minor treatments such as cavity fillings. General anesthesia is used for longer or more complicated dental procedures such as tooth extractions and oral surgeries. This type of anesthesia is administered through a face mask or IV and keeps the patient completely unconscious during the entire treatment.
Sedation comes in many forms and has many levels (mild, moderate, and deep), depending on the severity of the patient's case. It can be administered orally, inhaled, intramuscularly (IM), or intravenously (IV). Patients with more severe dental anxiety or phobia are generally given a form of sedation so that they remain calm, comfortable, pain-free, and often asleep throughout the duration of their treatment.
“There are three main types of dental anesthesia: local, general, and sedation.”
Questions Answered on This Page
Q. What causes dental anxiety?
Q. How can I cope with dental anxiety?
Q. How can I ease my child's dental anxiety?
People Also Ask
Q. What types of dental procedures require sedation?
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Q. What factors should people consider when choosing a dental insurance plan?
Q. What is the importance of routine dental procedures?
Q. What coping with dental anxiety and phobia strategies are available?
Q. Where can I learn more about my dental diagnosis and treatment?
Children & Dental Anxiety
It is not uncommon for parents to experience dental anxiety on their child's behalf. Parents should maintain a calm exterior as children will pick up on any anxiety displayed by their parents. Parents should refrain from telling their children that something will hurt or be painful, nor should they promise a reward for going to the dentist. Doing so will only cause children to anticipate something unpleasant and act accordingly. While parents should tell their children about any upcoming dental appointments, they should not overload their child with too much detail about what to expect. Dentists have received the training to give simple, non-threatening answers. Parents should prioritize stressing the importance of dental hygiene to their children instead.
“Parents should maintain a calm exterior … as children will pick up on any anxiety displayed by their parents.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. How can dentists help with anxiety?
A. Dentists who understand anxiety use simple techniques to keep their patients calm during treatment. For example, they may inform them about what they are feeling, will be feeling soon, and for how long. They take frequent breaks and ask the patient for permission to continue or if they would like to stop completely. They can also adjust anesthesia levels to keep the patient comfortable even after the procedure.
Q. How is severe dental anxiety treated?
A. Severe anxiety or phobia, dental or otherwise, should be properly diagnosed and treated by a certified psychologist as they can be a result of another mental disorder or condition. Also, dentists have limited training in treating dental anxiety and will only use the techniques they know. We may refer patients to a psychologist or prescribe anti-anxiety medications as needed.
Q. How common is dental anxiety in children and adults?
A. According to a 2014 study, "Dental anxiety, or dental fear, is estimated to affect approximately 36% of the population, with a further 12% suffering from extreme dental fear." Dental anxiety affects people of all ages and backgrounds for various reasons.
Q. How do you know if you have dental anxiety?
A. The most common symptoms of dental anxiety include fear or failure of visiting a dentist, sweating, racing heartbeat, low blood pressure, crying, and withdrawal. There is a long list of common symptoms that patients may also experience.
Q. Why do I have dental anxiety if I have not experienced any pain or trauma in the past?
A. Dental anxiety can stem from a variety of different factors and can arise at any time during our lives. Some patients acquire dental anxiety as a result of a new dentist, past experiences of a friend or family member, or associated fear from online content about a procedure. In most cases, this is a mild or singular form of anxiety.
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Dental Terminology
Helpful Related Links
- American Dental Association (ADA). Glossary of Dental Clinical Terms. 2024
- American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry® (AACD). Home Page. 2024
- WebMD. WebMD’s Oral Care Guide. 2024
About our business and website security
- St Lucie Center for Cosmetic Dentistry was established in 1984.
- We accept the following payment methods: American Express, Cash, Check, Discover, MasterCard, and Visa
- We serve patients from the following counties: St. Lucie County
- We serve patients from the following cities: Port St. Lucie, River Park, White City, Fort Pierce, Fort Pierce South, St Lucie West, Tradition, Palm City, Jensen Beach, and Stuart
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