Managing Dental Anxiety

Fear of going to the dentist is a common health-care related anxiety. Patients often express a broad range of triggers, such as the fear of pain, claustrophobia, needles, sounds, or sensations. Unfortunately, long term avoidance of oral healthcare can lead to deeply debilitating problems that can be physically, psychologically and socially impactful. Our mouth represents a center point for our survival, by impacting our ability to eat comfortably and communicate. So, caring for this immensely important part of our bodies is crucial for both our general health and psychological wellbeing.  Often minor dental problems can be easily ignored. Many people may be aware that something feels wrong or isn’t right in their mouths. It might be an area where food becomes stuck, it could be a sharp or rough part of a tooth, or it could be the experience of sensitivity to hot, cold or sweet foods. It may simply manifest as a general feeling of irrigation around the gums. Unfortunately, most minor dental problems tend to progress to major dental problems with time and ignoring small issues can culminate into a larger and more impactful concern.  There are many aspects of dental treatment recognized as specific causes or triggers of anxiety. Undergoing dental treatment is a very multi-sensory experience. There is the feeling associated with having the teeth, lips, cheeks tongue and gums touched. There is the sound of the drill and suction. There is the taste of the gloves, instruments, a...
Source: Psych Central - Category: Psychiatry Authors: Tags: Anxiety General Habits Healthy Living Panic Disorder Phobias anxious thoughts Coping Skills dental anxiety dentist anxiety overwhelm Personal Hygiene worry Source Type: news