An Understanding of What Dental Fear is and How Your Dentist Can Help You with Yours

When it is time to go to the dentist, do you feel uneasy, like knots in your stomach? This fear or anxiety of the dentist is not uncommon. Many people face a fear of seeing the dentist. The important thing is that you do not let this fear keep you from regular appointments. While doing so may relieve your stress, it will lead to untold damage to your oral health. Dr. Stephen Matarazzo would be happy to talk to you about dental anxiety at his Quincy, Massachusetts office. There is no need to be scared, but if you are, it is vital to understand this anxiety and where it could be coming from.

What is Dental Anxiety?

If you feel a sense of unease whenever you consider going to see your dentist, you likely suffer from dental anxiety. For some, dental anxiety keeps them away from the dentist. In extreme cases, dental anxiety and fear keep some individuals from never seeing a dentist their entire life. For those who do make it into the office, the anxiety they feel could have them feeling queasy and sick while sitting in the waiting room or keep them up the night before in fearful anticipation.

The critical thing to know here is that you are not alone. Many people suffer from dental anxiety. The anxiety could stem from a negative experience or a fear of the unknown if you are an adult visiting the dentist for the first time ever or for the first time in years.

What Causes Dental Anxiety?

For many, the fear they feel about going for a dental visit goes back to a past traumatic experience. For others, it could be due to them not knowing what to expect. The thought of drills and screams fill their head. Whether it be a fear of the unknown or a fear of pain they expect to experience while in the dental chair, your dental team takes all forms of dental fear and anxiety very seriously. Another reason some have anxiety over a dental visit is that they are embarrassed about their current dental situation and fear judgment by the dentist. If this scenario describes you, please understand that your dentist is only here to help you, not judge or shame you. 

How Can Your Dentist Help? 

Many dentists will have procedures in place for dealing with patients suffering from dental fear and anxiety. Some dentists may offer sedation options, while others may try to educate you on what to expect so that you do not have an unreasonably fearful outlook. You must raise any fears or anxieties to your dentist so that they are aware and can help. 

To schedule an appointment with Dr. Stephen Matarazzo, please call (617) 405-3939.

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