Dental Anxiety and Fear

The overwhelming fear of dental appointments can be a common cause of anxiety. Many people visualize a drill-wielding man in a white coat just waiting to cause pain and remove teeth. The reality, however, is very different. The comfort, relaxation, and happiness of the patient are the primary focus of any good dental practice. The staff at the practice will do whatever they can to reduce anxiety, allay fears, and provide painless, quick treatments.

Recent technological advancements have meant that in many cases, dentists are able to replace noisy drills with painless laser beams. There are also a wide variety of safe anesthetics available to eliminate pain and reduce anxiety during routine appointments.

Here is a list of some of the most common dental fears:

Fear of embarrassment about the condition of teeth.
Fear of gagging.
Fear of injections.
Fear of loss of control.
Fear of not becoming numb when injected with Novocain.
Fear of pain.
Fear of the dentist as a person.
Fear of the hand piece (or the drill).

How can one overcome dental anxiety?

Dental anxiety and fear can become completely overwhelming. It is estimated that as many as 35 million people do not visit the dental office at all because they are too afraid. Receiving regular dental check-ups and cleanings is incredibly important. Having regular routine check-ups is the easiest way to maintain excellent oral hygiene and reduce the need for more complex treatments.

Here are some tips to help reduce dental fear and anxiety:

Talk to the dentist – The dentist is not a mind reader. Though it can be hard to talk about irrational fears with a stranger, the dentist can take extra precautions during visits if fears and anxiety are communicated.

Bring a portable music player – Music acts as a relaxant and also drowns out any fear-producing noises. Listening to calming music throughout the appointment will help to reduce anxiety.

Agree on a signal – Many people are afraid that the dentist will not know they are in significant pain during the appointment and will continue with the procedure regardless. The best way to solve this problem is to agree on a “stop” hand signal with the dentist. Both parties can easily understand signals like raising the hand or tapping on the chair.

Spray the throat – Throat sprays (for example, Vicks^® Chloraseptic^® Throat Spray) can actually control the gag reflex. Two or three sprays will usually keep the reflex under control for about an hour.

Take a mirror – Not being able to see what is happening can increase anxiety and make the imagination run wild. Watching the procedure can help keep reality at the forefront of the mind.

Sedation – If there is no other way to cope, sedation offers an excellent option for many people. There are several types of sedation, but the general premise behind them is the same: the patient regains their faculties after treatment is complete.

Ask about alternatives – Advances in technology mean that dental microsurgery is now an option. Lasers can be used to prepare teeth for fillings, whiten teeth, and remove staining. Discuss all the options with the dentist and decide on one that is effective and produces minimal anxiety.

If you have questions or concerns about how the dentist can help you overcome anxiety and fear, please contact our office.

Testimonials

In one word 'outstanding'. I have had dental services from Cambridge, Mass to Dallas, Texas in my life but I have never ever come across such a truly outstanding practice. Dr. Christopher Yoo, and his father Dr. Yoo Senior, are both outstanding professionals. They have created, trained, and nurtured an outstanding staff from the reception desk all the way to the operatories. I will have to use my calculator to count the number of times Dr. Yoo uses gentle and comforting words like "sir", "please", "thank you", "appreciate it", etc. When I am in the operatory, I have the honor and pleasure of being in a very refined and multitalented company of Dr. Yoo, who takes the time to explain and teach all aspects of his treatment and empower the patient to follow up and take care of their dental hygiene. I want to specially mention appreciation by Dr. Yoo's peers. My friend Dr. Kevin G. Murphy, Baltimore, who is a well regarded periodontal-prosthodontic practitioner thinks very highly of Dr. Yoo and he personally recommended that my wife and me to be under Dr. Yoo's general dentistry practice and care. Please convey this review and my thanks to Dr. Yoo and his staff.

Subhash K.

This was my first visit to Dr. Yoo's clinic and I was very impressed with all aspects of the practice. When I called to make an appointment, I was scheduled for the very next day. The receptionist was gracious and very polite, both on the phone while making my appointment and when I arrived at the clinic. The person who referred me to Dr. Yoo had told me many things about the practice, so although I wasn't surprised, I was very impressed with the high-tech environment and the way it was used to make me both better informed and very comfortable during my initial examination and cleaning. Especially interesting was the digital imaging of my teeth and the camera tool that provided a real-time image of my individual teeth. All of these images were present on a screen that I could view while in the chair. Dr. Yoo was very personal, patient, and supportive, and took time to carefully explain his findings and recommendations. I highly recommend Dr. Yoo and his staff and look forward (really!) to my next visit.

Marilyn D.