Dental anxiety is fear, anxiety or stress associated with a dental setting. Being scared to visit the dentist can result in delaying or avoiding dental treatment. Things like needles, drills or the dental setting in general can trigger dental anxiety. When dental anxiety is severe and causes irrational fear and avoiding going to the dentist, it can be classified as a dental phobia. 

Some mental health conditions including post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or generalised anxiety disorder , or a previous history of head and neck trauma can increase the risk of a person experiencing dental anxiety. Other conditions such as depression, bipolar disorder etc may also increase the risk of anxiety disorder. 

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS of Dental Anxiety-

People with dental anxiety may experience:

• sweating

• palpitations or faster heartbeat / tachycardia

• low blood pressure or syncope

• crying, panic or visible distress

• withdrawal or aggressive behaviour

Some anxious people will routinely miss or avoid dental appointments and may find it difficult to undergo dental treatment regardless of whether it is simple or complex.

How dental anxiety or phobia can affect your oral health

Avoiding the dentist can result in dental infection getting worse, a greater need for emergency care or more complex treatment. It can also feed the underlying problem of dental anxiety. This is known as the ‘vicious cycle of dental anxiety’. 

Regular dental check-ups, cleans and X-rays of the teeth can prevent dental disease and help the dentist find any problems early, so that simpler and less invasive treatments are needed. During regular check-ups, dentists also check for signs of mouth cancer which is especially important for those who smoke or regularly drink alcohol and even more so for those who do both. If you notice a mouth ulcer that lasts for longer than 2 weeks, get it checked by a dentist as soon as you can. 

Most dental disease is lifestyle-related and preventable. By avoiding going to the dentist, not only are you more likely to need more complex treatments when you do finally attend, but you are also missing out on learning how to better care for your oral health. 

PART II- Causes and Management of Dental Phobia