Fear of Going to the Dentist aka Dentophobia

Dentophobia (odontophobia), or fear of dentists, is a fairly common phobia among people of all ages. It is sometimes related to iatrophobia, or fear of doctors, as well as trypanophobia, or fear of needles. Dentophobia may be mild or severe, and can eventually lead to serious health issues.

While many of us hate going to the dentist and feel some level of anxiety when that appointment comes around every six months, that doesn't always amount to a clinical phobia. In order for a mental health professional to diagnose your fear as a phobia, the fear you feel must be excessive and persistent, life-limiting, long-lasting, and out of proportion to the danger presented by the object of your fear.

You might be a bit anxious during an appointment, and thrilled when it's over, but if you are able to deal with it without severe anxiety or avoiding it altogether, it's unlikely you have a clinical phobia. If, however, your symptoms meet the criteria, it's important to remember that you're not alone, and that many people are able to successfully overcome their fears.

Types

Dentophobia can be divided into numerous elements. Most people with this phobia fear more than one element, while those with severe dentophobia may fear all or most elements simultaneously:

• The dentist: Like doctors, IRS auditors, and others in commonly feared professions, “the dentist” is often irrationally and mistakenly cast as cold and unfeeling at best, or sadistic at worst. It's understandable—they are often hovering over you with sharp instruments while you're in a vulnerable position. If you have had a negative personal experience with a particular dentist, you may be even more prone to this phobia.
• Pain: Until relatively recently, completely painless dentistry was difficult or impossible. Even today, some procedures may involve a slight amount of pain. Many people are extremely sensitive to mouth pain and fear that the pain may be excruciating.
• Numbness or Gagging: Some people, particularly those who have experienced choking or difficulty breathing, are afraid of having their mouths numbed. You might worry that you will be unable to breathe or swallow.
• Sounds and Smells: Many people, particularly those who have had previous bad experiences with dentists, are afraid of the sounds and smells of a dentist’s office, particularly the sound of the drill.
• Needles: If you have a needle phobia, you might be extremely afraid of the injections that dentists use to numb the mouth.

Complications

Whether due to genetics or behavior, dental health varies dramatically from person to person. Some people are able to last for years between dentist visits with little or no impact on their teeth or gums. Others are prone to decay and gum disease, no matter how frequently they brush and floss. If you are not one of the lucky few, dentophobia can have real consequences in your life.

Tooth decay worsens over time. Small cavities that once could have been easily filled can lead to broken and rotten teeth, requiring expensive and invasive root canal therapy and reconstructive work. This knowledge can, in turn, make you even less likely to seek treatment, creating a vicious cycle.

In some cases, dental problems can cause infection. Failure to treat the infection could cause it to spread, causing medical illness. Infected tissues also hurt, so pain is not an uncommon effect of dentophobia.

There are also interpersonal implications to poor dental health. In the modern world, we are expected to have clean, healthy, shiny teeth. If yours become broken and rotted due to decay and neglect, you might experience social stigma. It may become more difficult to get certain jobs. Dating might be impacted and things could even become awkward amongst your friends and family. This can lead to isolation, depression, social anxiety, and even social withdrawal.

Coping

If your dentophobia is severe and paralyzing, it is best to consult with a trained mental health professional before beginning dental treatment. Cognitive-behavioral therapy, medications, and hypnosis can help you get your fear under control.

Once your phobia is at a manageable level, you will be able to visit the dentist. However, it is important to choose the right dentist. Today’s dentistry is much different than what you may remember if it has been a long time since your last visit. Nonetheless, not all dentists use the same methods and techniques to assist patients with phobias.

As you progress to further appointments, remember that you are always in control. Work out a signal with your dentist that you can use when you need a break, and a different signal to let the dentist know you need more anesthetic. Even such matters as how far back the chair is tilted and the order of work performed can be discussed in advance. Talk to your dentist about the availability of sedatives that will allow you to sleep through the dental procedure.

Many people like to bring a portable music player or even a DVD system for their appointments (remember your earphones!). Some dentists offer these devices or have televisions or even virtual reality systems. These items can distract you and help you relax.

Dentophobia is a common and treatable phobia. Untreated, however, it can lead to a range of physical difficulties. See a mental health professional first to bring your phobia under control, and then search for a dentist that makes you feel comfortable. Finding a dentist that you fully trust is worth the effort.