Dental anxiety is associated with the thought of visiting the dental clinic for dental procedures. It is common in the general population and a frequently encountered problem in dental offices.
It does not cause any major disturbances to daily life. Identifying these patients immediately will enable their concerns to be addressed.
Most people’s expectations of pain, being hurt, choked or gagged during treatment is a trigger for dental anxiety.Dr. Swati Sharma, Endodontist
Due to dental anxiety, a person can skip their appointments or avoid visiting the dentist, which affects their oral health.
SIGNS & SYMPTOMS OF DENTAL ANXIETY
Sweating
Fast heartbeat (tachycardia) or palpitations
Low BP
Possible syncope (fainting)
Visible distress or signs of panic
Withdrawal or using humor or aggression to mask anxiety [1]
HOW DOES DENTAL ANXIETY AFFECT THE ORAL HEALTH?
Avoiding dental appointments can result in missed routine exams, never receiving examinations, or allowing too much time between scheduled appointments. All these can lead to oral health issues.
Regular visits to the dentist can help detect cavities, gum diseases, and other oral health concerns early such as signs of oral cancer, which is especially, important for those who intake tobacco regularly. [3]
CAUSES OF DENTAL ANXIETY
Fear of pain
Previous traumatic dental experiences
Fear of loss of control
History of generalized anxiety disorder
Trust issues
Fear of needles and drilling
Uncomfortable with personal space invasion
Fear of anesthesia side effects
Fear of anesthesia not working
Phobias such as agoraphobia (fear of being in a situation where you feel you cannot escape) or claustrophobia (fear of closed spaces) [1]
MANAGEMENT OF DENTAL ANXIETY
Dental anxiety can affect people of all ages. The etiology is multifactorial, and hence, there is no monotherapy for management. [1,4]
Communication is one of the important keys to dealing with dental anxiety. -Dr. Anirudh Upmanyu, Dentist
Following are a few measures to help alleviate the dental anxiety:
Proper evaluation of the patient and identifying their source and level of anxiety can enable the dentist to decide on a proper treatment plan
Encouraging patients to ask questions like what is happening, about anything that causes pain or discomfort, or work out a signal to indicate the need for a break (such as raising their hand)
Deep breathing exercises can relax the mind and help feel calmer
Distractions such as wearing headphones and listening to music, squeezing a stress ball
Guided imagery: a mind-body exercise wherein patients are taught to develop a mental image of a pleasant, tranquil experience that consciously guides their attention to achieve relaxation, thereby reducing anxiety
Hypnotherapy
Referral to a psychologist can be helpful
Short, targeted therapies including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy can be very successful
Other dental anxiety cases may require medical management:
Analgesia (Nitrous oxide also known as Happy Gas or Laughing Gas)
Anxiety-relieving medication (such as alprazolam)
Conscious sedation
General anesthesia [2]
Not all dentists offer treatment under sedation. Some pre-existing medical conditions or medication may affect some types of sedation.
Avoid driving home after having any sedation.
Dental anxiety can have an adverse impact on oral health and hence it is important to identify and address it to pave the way for oral health and thus lead to the overall health of the individual. [4] A successful treatment depends on dentist-patient cooperation. A relaxed patient will result in a less stressful atmosphere for the dentist and the team and better treatment outcomes.
References:
Healthline. "Dental Anxiety: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment." Healthline. Accessed December 28, 2024. https://www.healthline.com/health/anxiety/dental-anxiety.
Appukuttan, Divya. "Strategies to Manage Patients with Dental Anxiety and Dental Phobia: Literature Review." Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dentistry 8 (2016): 35–50. Accessed December 28, 2024. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4790493/.
Fletcher, Jenna. "Dental Anxiety: What to Know." Medical News Today. Last modified June 30, 2022. Accessed December 28, 2024. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/what-to-know-about-dental-anxiety.
Better Health Channel. "Dental Anxiety and Phobia." Better Health Channel. Accessed December 28, 2024. https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/dental-anxiety-and-phobia.
MSM