Wondering if there are things that can trigger dental anxiety? Yes, there are. There are many different levels of dental anxiety. This means that dental patients who experience this common dental-related problem may experience a bit of anxiousness, while others will experience a great deal of anxiousness.
Why dental patients experience anxiety
Learning that anyone can experience dental anxiety can help those who experience anxiety understand that it is not their fault for feeling that way. Many people who are living with any level of anxiety when thinking about or getting ready to go to the dental office do so because they are afraid of pain. This means they have experienced pain in a previous dental appointment, which now causes them to experience this common dental-related problem.
Common triggers that increase one’s anxious feeling
According to PsychCentral, a trigger is something that sets off a memory tape or flashback transporting the person back to the event of their original trauma. The list below includes three different triggers that are known to potentially cause someone to start feeling anxious or increase their current state of anxiousness.
Smelling the smells of a dental office
The smells within a dental office are quite distinct and can therefore trigger emotions of dental anxiety in many patients. A few examples of smells that tend to be inclusive for a dental office include clove oil, acrylic, disinfectant, anti-bacterial soap, sanitation ovens and tooth dust. These dental-related smells are common triggers for certain patients, causing them to start experiencing or even make their current levels of anxiousness worse.
Hearing dental sounds, like drills
Many people will begin to experience more anxious feelings once they hear any of the sounds in a dental office. One of the most noticeable sounds one will hear when they are in a dental waiting room is a dental drill. Another example of dental sounds that can trigger one’s anxious feelings includes hearing the suctioning sounds that take place in just about every dental appointment.
Seeing dental tools, like needles
A common trigger for many dental patients is just seeing dental tools. Dental tools are often already laid out on a tray, just waiting to be used if needed by the dental professional. Once a patient sees any of these tools or instruments, it can trigger their anxious feelings. A common dental tool that tends to cause a patient to immediately feel anxious is needles, as they do not want to experience any pain.
Living with dental anxiety?
Are you someone who is currently living with dental anxiety? It is easy for these feelings to get in the way of one’s ability to see their dental professional on a regular basis. Whether the cause of one’s anxiety stems from a previous painful dental appointment or another reason altogether, it is essential for dental patients to let their dental professional know exactly how they feel.
Request an appointment here: http://dentistinsanclemente.com or call Nina Basti DDS at (949) 201-4719 for an appointment in our San Clemente office.
Check out what others are saying about our services on Yelp: Read our Yelp reviews.
Recent Posts
A dentist for kids prepares your child to make visits to the clinic a normal part of their lives as they grow. According to Medical Principles and Practice, dental anxiety affects millions of people in the U.S., and it can severely affect a person's dental and overall health.People with dental anxiety often avoid going to…
Monitoring dental fillings remains vital to maintaining a healthy smile, as these repairs eventually wear down over the years of daily chewing. While a filling protects the tooth for a long time, it is not a permanent fix and often needs to be replaced to prevent further decay. Spotting the early warning signs of a…
During routine checkups, general dentists often take the time to explain the difference between plaque and tartar. Both involve bacterial growth, but at different stages. Plaque is a soft film that can be easily removed by brushing, while tartar is a hardened deposit that adheres to the enamel like cement. Knowing more about these substances…
Whether you are scared of the dentist or need to undergo multiple dental procedures at once, sedation dentistry can play a major role in giving you a pleasant experience during the appointment. Sedation is available in different forms, from nitrous oxide to general anesthesia. However, if you have never experienced dental sedation at the dental…