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Is Dental Anxiety Common?

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Is dental anxiety common? The answer is yes, and it can be a serious problem. In fact, some people are so scared to go to the dentist that they avoid appointments for years at a time or until their condition becomes too severe. This may seem like an extreme reaction, but dental phobia is actually more prevalent than you might think. Read on if you’re curious about how many people suffer from this ailment and what causes it. According to a study published in the Journal of American Dental Association, 75% of Americans have some level of apprehension about visiting the dentist.

  • Dental fear is estimated to affect up to one in four adults worldwide.

  • Approximately 4% of children experience dental fear during childhood

Dental anxiety is the feeling of unease that occurs whenever someone thinks about going to a dentist or sees something associated with dentists. For some people, it prevents them from visiting their own dentist regularly and in other cases, they never go see one because of how severe their fear has become. Others who force themselves into seeing a doctor may show signs of throwing up before entering the office building or not being able to sleep at night for anticipation.

  • Stay on top of your dental health

  • Get teeth cleaned with no worries

  • Reduce your stress about visiting the dentist

  • There are options for all levels of dental anxiety

You may be anxious to visit the dentist due to a fear of pain or discomfort. Discussing your worries with them and taking proactive steps can help you feel more at ease and comfortable during visits in the future. If they don’t take your fears seriously, find another dentist who will work closely with you on finding solutions that fit best for each individual situation until anxiety is reduced! An excellent dentist is not only one who is skilled but also someone who possesses the following:

  • Talks to patient’s fears and concerns

  • Takes proactive steps in order to reduce anxiety

  • Only a dentist who is willing to work closely with the patient finds solutions

Many people are afraid of the dentist because they might lose control during treatment. If you’re worried about this, ask your dentist to let you know what’s happening at every stage and develop an emergency gesture that will stop them when needed. You can also develop strategies like raising your hand for the dentist to stop on when encountering uneasiness or needing water. This is advantageous because it will help not only a patient’s anxiety but also put less stress on the dentist by:

  • Provides a way to keep people from being afraid of the dentist

  • Allows patients to be in control on their own terms

  • Create emergency gestures that will stop the dentist when needed

The most frequent reason why some individuals avoid going to the dentist is fear. This has typically originated from a past experience that was either painful or unpleasant, and it can also come from horror stories shared by others.

When asked how many people had not seen a dental professional in 12 months, 6% said they were afraid of discomfort when visiting this facility; such apprehension tended to be more common for those aged 24 and up, implying that their first encounters with dentists would have been during an era where pain-free care did not exist.

We hope this article has helped you understand what dental anxiety is and how it can be treated. If you suffer from dental anxiety, don’t worry! You are not alone and there are ways to make your next dentist appointment easier for you. Remember that fear of the dentist doesn’t have to stop with just one visit- most people need repeated visits overtime before they feel comfortable in their chair again. It’s also important to remember that if we neglect our teeth or oral health problems, then other illnesses may develop as well like diabetes or heart disease so take care of yourself first by going see the doctor regularly!

Perfect Smile

Are You Looking for a Dentist Who Can Help With Your Dental Anxiety?

Do you worry about going to the dentist? If so, then Balfour Dental in Brentwood is a great place for you. They have over thirty years of experience helping patients with dental anxiety and their services include many different certifications that are top-of-the-line!  Dr. Rayani and Dr. Siao both have many different certifications, including Invisalign Certification, Implant Dentistry, Sleep Apnea Treatment, Cerec CAD-CAM Restorations, Neuromuscular Dentistry, and Implants respectively. Our dental office is locally owned and operated by Dr. Dimple Rayani and Dr. Sien Siao, two professionals with vast experience in Implant Retained Denture treatments as well as general dentistry.  If you are looking to renew your smile, contact Balfour Dental today!

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