Do you fear having any sort of dental work done? If so, you are not alone! This fear often starts as a child, but sometimes doesn’t go away once you’re grown-up! As a matter of fact, somewhere between 9% and 20% of Americans downright avoid going to the dentist because of fear or anxiety.

For some though, the fear is much more than simple anxiety, it’s a phobia. People who experience this condition are often full of panic and terror at the mere thought of having dental procedures done. Though they often know that this fear is irrational, they are unable to control it.

So what do they do? They avoid the thing that terrifies them. They will do everything they can to get out of going to the dentist, including going through pain and experiencing much worse oral health than those who go to the dentist regularly.

Below you will find some of the classic symptoms of someone who has this phobia straight from your denturist in Portland OR:

• Difficulty sleeping the night before going to the dentist
• Experiencing nervousness or anxiety that escalates while in the waiting room
• Experiencing a loss of control over emotions (crying) or feeling sick when thinking about visiting the dentist
• Feeling uneasy about the idea or act of objects placed inside your mouth during the treatment
• Feeling like you won’t be able to breathe during your procedure

These symptoms can be debilitating and detrimental to your oral health, but it’s definitely worth fighting through.

In order to know how to resolve this phobia, it is important to understand the reasons behind it. Some of the common causes include:

• Fearing pain: This is a very common reason many people avoid dental appointments or procedures. Often this fear stems from experiencing an unpleasant or painful dental encounter in the past. It can also come from hearing “dental horror stories” from other people, causing an irrational fear of going through something similar. That said, it is important to remember that due to medical advances, many procedures are actually pain-free, or close to it!

• Fearing injections (or fearing that those injections won’t be effective): One of the most common irrational fears out there is the fear of needles. Especially ones inserted inside the mouth. Injections are uncomfortable but are mostly tolerated. Moving further, some people are terrified that the medicine will not have taken effect before the procedure begins.
• Fearing side effects: While less common, this is a real fear, especially for those who haven’t experienced anesthetic before. In many cases, people will fear the dizziness, faintness, nausea, or having a numb mouth.
• Fearing feeling helpless: Most medical procedures come with a loss of control, and some people do not like that idea.
• Feelings of embarrassment or feeling claustrophobic: Some people may feel uncomfortable about the physical closeness of the other people in the room. Others may feel self-conscious about the way their teeth look or about having someone smell their breath.

Dental fear is common… Normal even! So if this is you, we want you to remember the importance of your oral health. Regular cleanings and checkups can prevent tooth decay, tooth loss, and the need for dentures too soon!

In the long run, you will be happy you bit the bullet and held your head high in the face of pain!

If you need to see the denturist in Portland OR for any of our services, from implants to dentures, do not hesitate to contact us at Classic Denture Center today! We would love to help ease your fears and make sure you leave our office with a (beautiful) smile on your face.