Is there a cure for dental anxiety or dentophobia?
The first and most important step in helping your child overcome dental anxiety is to develop a trusting relationship with a pediatric dentist. By communicating your child’s fears, your dental team will be able to work with your child to address and manage specific concerns. Here are some suggestions for finding a dental office that can help you.
Management and treatment of dentophobia
Exposure therapy is one of the main treatments for fear of dentists. During exposure therapy, a mental health professional will expose you to situations and images that may trigger your symptoms. This placement occurs in a controlled environment where you can work through your answers. Most people with specific phobias improve their symptoms after this type of psychotherapy (talk therapy).
During exposure therapy, you will:
- Learn breathing and muscle relaxation techniques to use before and during exposure.
- You are viewing images or videos of people visiting the dentist.
- Go to the dentist’s office gradually without the need for treatment.
- Have a cleaning or checkup with a hygienist or dentist.
What are the other solutions for Dentophobia?
Other techniques to overcome dentophobia include:
Acupuncture: A trained acupuncturist gently inserts hair-thin needles into specific points in your body to help reduce anxiety associated with dental visits.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Many health care providers use CBT and exposure therapy. CBT helps you change the way you see and react to situations that trigger your symptoms.
Distractions: Dentists may play music, movies, or TV shows to help distract you from dental treatment.
Guided imagery: You can use relaxation, visualization, and positive suggestions to create a good feeling. You think of the sights, sounds, and smells of a place that is pleasant to you, such as a beach or a mountain.
Hypnotherapy: Healthcare providers use guided relaxation techniques and focused attention to help change your perception of situations. Studies have shown that hypnotherapy helps people cope with stressful dental treatments.
Relaxation techniques: Practicing deep breathing and muscle relaxation can help you reduce stress and anxiety levels.
Sedation: Your dentist may provide sedation (medication) to help you relax during treatment. Medications may include nitrous oxide (laughing gas), pills taken by mouth, or IV (intravenous) sedation.
Solutions to reduce the anxiety of dentists
- A team of attention
A large part of dental anxiety stems from the fear of being out of control. By inviting your child to understand different aspects of dental treatment by asking questions during each visit, you and your child can gain some sense of control. Tell your dentist about your concerns and they should respond with kindness and a willingness to help. Encourage your child not to be shy about asking questions about therapy until they understand or trust the procedure. Communication plays a very important role in fighting dental anxiety.
- A pediatric practice with modern technology
If you haven’t visited a pediatric dental office in several years, you’ll be happy to know that improved technology has made many dental procedures less invasive and more acceptable for young patients! From the initial examination process to fluoride therapy and composite fillings, dentistry has modernized and considered simpler ways. Child-friendly facilities in a friendly environment make appointments shorter, safer, and more enjoyable for children. Ask your dental office what new methods they have implemented to make treating children easier.
- Options for entertainment or rewards
Many dentists offer things to help calm anxious children, including video games, fun music, or popular movies. These physical distractions or other small toys and candy rewards can provide relaxation or be used as a tool for positive reinforcement. As long as your child has something to look forward to, the reward itself rarely seems important.
If extra help is needed, some dentists can offer mild sedation options for more complex procedures. Laughing gas is an anxiety reliever that has no lasting effects and is safe to use on children.
How can I learn to cope with dentophobia during a dental visit?
In addition to seeking long-term treatment if needed, you can try certain techniques to deal with dentophobia during dental visits. You may:
- Consult your dentist before making a maintenance visit. Your dentist can explain the next steps so you feel more comfortable.
- Tell your dentist that you are anxious so that he can best help you. They may suggest sedatives or other techniques.
- Bring a friend to offer support.
- Choose a dentist who will listen and work with you to help reduce your anxiety. These dentists are known as fearless dentists.
- Provide a signal that tells your dentist to stop if you need a break during treatment.
- See your dentist in Richmond Hill at a lower time of day, such as early in the morning, to limit the impact of noise from other patients’ treatments.
