Dental Phobia Is Real: Here’s What to Do About It

Not many people are thrilled about spending time in the dentist’s chair. However, research suggests that 20% of Americans are so anxious about receiving dental care that they avoid it until absolutely necessary. In the light of the COVID-19 pandemic, even those of us without “dental phobia” are feeling a heightened sense of worry when it comes to visiting our dentist. Read on to learn more about what you can do about your dental anxiety and what your Williamstown dentist is doing to keep you safe if you need to come in for care during the pandemic.

Understanding Dental Phobia

It’s natural to feel a little stressed when you’re getting professional care for your smile. After all, you’re lying on your back with dental tools poking around your mouth in a situation where you can’t easily talk. However, that feeling of unease is significantly more pronounced for people who experience dental phobia. This condition causes an intense, overwhelming fear of dental care. Common symptoms include:

• Trouble sleeping the night before a dental appointment.
• Crying, anger, or feeling physically ill at the thought of visiting the dentist.
• Panic or difficulty breathing while receiving dental care.

Oftentimes, dental phobia is rooted in fear of pain, injections, side effects, or loss of control and personal space. In some cases, it may be the result of a previous traumatic dental experience. Whatever the cause, dental phobia typically puts patients at a much higher risk of serious oral health issues, so its essential that steps are taken to overcome this condition.

Tips for Overcoming Your Fear of the Dentist

Thankfully, there are a few ways you can conquer your fears and manage your dental phobia, like:

• Bringing someone you trust with you to your visit.
• Seeking a distraction while in the dentist’s chair, like listening to new music, an audiobook, or TV show.
• Visiting a psychologist or therapist for personalized support.

While it is by no means easy to overcome dental phobia, taking care of your oral health and preventing serious issues is well worth the effort.

Anxiety, Dental Care, & COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic has set many of us on edge for a wide variety of valid reasons. In these unusual times, you may be asking yourself “Is the dentist safe?” To make each visit during the pandemic as safe as possible, your Williamstown dentist has established numerous new dental safety protocols, like:

• Health screening questions and no-touch temperature checks for patients and staff members alike.
• Changes to scheduling to allow for no reception room waiting times and minimal exposure between patients.
• Patients will be required to wear a face covering, sanitize their hands, and rinse with a specialized mouthwash prior to treatment.
• More often and thorough cleaning of the entire office throughout the day, including all frequently touched surfaces.

Your dental team goes to great lengths to safeguard your wellbeing during your visit. Especially now, you can rest assured that your comfort and safety are your dentist’s number one concern.

About the Author

To Dr. Wael Kassem, nothing is more important than the health of his patients, staff, and the community of Williamstown, NJ. He has been carefully monitoring the COVID-19 pandemic as well as the recommendations set forth by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. After careful consideration, he has established a variety of new measures at iSmile Dental Arts to ensure he and his team can keep you as safe as possible during the pandemic. If you’d like to learn more about his Commitment to Safety or would like more information about overcoming dental phobia, he encourages you to reach out to him via his website or at (856) 818-9998.