A Sedation Dentist can help with Dental Anxiety
While dental fear, dental anxiety, and dental phobia may be used interchangeably, in sedation dentistry, we know there is a distinct difference between these types of feelings. Understanding the difference between dental fear, dental anxiety and dental phobia will help to identify the cause of dental fear and anxiety. This is the initial step for treatment of dental anxiety and to feeling better about going to the dentist.
Anxiety, Fear and Phobia
Anxiety
Anxiety is a generalized feeling of distress that is expressed emotionally and physically. Anxiety may or may not be caused by a specific threat. When anxiety is irrational it is referred to as anxiety disorder. Untreated anxiety disorder may lead to panic attacks.
Fear
Fear is a feeling of distress that is caused by a specific stimulus or threat such as pain. It is different than anxiety in that anxiety is a generalized feeling that may not be caused by a certain threat. It is also different in that fear sometimes can produce a feeling of joy and excitement such as in thrill seekers. In our thirteen years of experience treating dental patients with dental anxiety, we have yet to experience these types of patients in our offices.
Phobia
A phobia is a very intense, persistent, unreasonable fear of a particular situation. Phobic individuals would go to irrational measures to avoid the circumstances that cause their phobia.
The differences between fear, anxiety and phobia:
Anxiety is a generalized feeling and may not be caused by specific stimulus while fear is related to a specific stimulus and cause. Individuals who suffer from anxiety and fear may be able to face and deal with the stimulus “the cause of their fear and anxiety” if they must. However phobic individuals would do whatever it takes to avoid the situation that triggers their phobia.
How Do Dental Fear, Dental Anxiety, and Dental Phobia Fit In?
Dental anxiety
Dental anxiety is a generalized feeling of stress about going to the dentist and receiving dental treatment.
Dental fear
Dental fear is a heightened state distress when going to the dentist that is due to specific cause. There are many and countless specific reasons that can trigger dental fear such as:
- Fear of a particular dental procedure such as a root canal or extraction
- Fear of feeling pain
- Fear not being numb enough
- Fear of receiving local anesthetic injections and needles
- Fear of being lectured by the hygienist or dentist
- Fear of knowing the extent of damage by avoiding the dentist
- Fear of the common smells of dental materials and/or the dental office
- Fear of sounds and noises at the dental office
- Fear of gagging or choking during a procedure
And the list goes on.
Dental phobia
Dental phobia is an unrealistic and intense fear of going to the dentist that leads to complete avoidance. Patients with dental phobia would go to extreme measures to avoid the dentist. Dental phobic patients usually come in to the dental office after exhausting every possibility to avoid their dental visit. Usually an extreme toothache would force dental phobic patients to see the dentist.
The physical effect of fear, anxiety and phobia can vary in degree of intensity from heart palpitation, fatigue, nausea, chest pain, shortness of breath, stomach aches, headaches, hyperventilating and fainting.
The emotional effect of fear, anxiety and phobia may vary from feeling of apprehension, dread, inability to concentrate, irritability, restlessness and panic attacks.
The most damaging effect from dental fear, anxiety and phobia is avoiding the dentist and routine dental care which ultimately leads to compromise of the oral and overall health.
Sedation dentist, Dr. Mo Saleh DMD, of Dental Dynamics, Portland, Oregon (Pearl District) believes that you should be comfortable during all dental procedures. Read more about dental sedation here.