Are You Afraid of the Dentist?
- posted: Apr. 04, 2025
if you feel like the people in this painting when you go to the dentist or even think about it then you may have dentophobia. Dentophobia is fear of the dentist. Cases range from mild fear to severe. If this describes you, do not fear you are not alone. At least 36% of people in the United States are estimated to have dentophobia with approximately 12% having extreme dentophobia. If you are wondering whether you have dentophobia ask yourself these questions.
How do I feel when I need a dental check up?
How do I feel in the waiting room?
How do I feel when I am in the chair waiting for the dentist?
How do I feel when waiting for the hygienist to scrape my teeth?
If you answered yes to more than one of these questions you may be dentophobic.
People cabe be afraid of any number of things:
Anesthetic
Blood
Choking
The dentist
Pain
Needles
The Noise
Smells
People can experience various symptoms but common ones incude:
Chills
Dizziness
Sweating
Shortness of Breath
Heart Palpitations
Nausea
Digestive upset
Trembling
It is important to tackle your fears and take care of your oral health because neglecting your teeth can lead to:
Heart disease
Complication from diabetes
Decayed or rotting teeth
Missing Teeth
Gum Disease
Shame
Help is out there. There is hope for you!
If you have a noderate to severe case of dentophobia you should find a therapist. There are effective methods for treating this. I have seen people make enormous progress in therapy and move from being ashamed of their teeth to being proud of their new smile!
Find a dentist that can help you. Ask around to friends and family. Look online. Some dentists will even sedate patients. Once you go through the process, you to can enjoy your new smile.
- posted: Apr. 04, 2025
if you feel like the people in this painting when you go to the dentist or even think about it then you may have dentophobia. Dentophobia is fear of the dentist. Cases range from mild fear to severe. If this describes you, do not fear you are not alone. At least 36% of people in the United States are estimated to have dentophobia with approximately 12% having extreme dentophobia. If you are wondering whether you have dentophobia ask yourself these questions.
How do I feel when I need a dental check up?
How do I feel in the waiting room?
How do I feel when I am in the chair waiting for the dentist?
How do I feel when waiting for the hygienist to scrape my teeth?
If you answered yes to more than one of these questions you may be dentophobic.
People cabe be afraid of any number of things:
Anesthetic
Blood
Choking
The dentist
Pain
Needles
The Noise
Smells
People can experience various symptoms but common ones incude:
Chills
Dizziness
Sweating
Shortness of Breath
Heart Palpitations
Nausea
Digestive upset
Trembling
It is important to tackle your fears and take care of your oral health because neglecting your teeth can lead to:
Heart disease
Complication from diabetes
Decayed or rotting teeth
Missing Teeth
Gum Disease
Shame
Help is out there. There is hope for you!
If you have a noderate to severe case of dentophobia you should find a therapist. There are effective methods for treating this. I have seen people make enormous progress in therapy and move from being ashamed of their teeth to being proud of their new smile!
Find a dentist that can help you. Ask around to friends and family. Look online. Some dentists will even sedate patients. Once you go through the process, you to can enjoy your new smile.