Dental anxiety

 

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.  The  Family Smiles Dental is suitably located at 1011 N Hwy 77, Ste 105, Waxahachie,  is dedicated to the removal of wisdom teeth. Our state of the art facilities are purpose built with the latest technology any type of  Dental Problemavailable and best  Dental  Expert  near you.

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 generalized anxiety disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), 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 or schizophrenia may also increase the risk of anxiety disorder.

Signs and symptoms of dental anxiety

People with dental anxiety may experience:

• sweating
• racing heartbeat (tachycardia) or palpitations
• low blood pressure and possible fainting (syncope)
• visible distress, crying or signs of panic
• withdrawal, or using humour or aggression to mask anxiety.

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 disease 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.

Children who have had bad dental experiences in most cases can overcome their fear if the situation is managed well and they are well cared for and supported during further dental visits. Adults who are anxious about dental care tend to remain anxious throughout life.

Call us at +1-972-351-9110 or visit familysmilestx.com/ to schedule your appointment.

Find us at:

1011 N Hwy 77, Ste 105

Waxahachie, 

TX 75165