Dental fear, otherwise known as dentophobia, is the fear of anything relating to dentistry. According to a studyon the prevalence of dental anxiety in dental practice settings, anywhere between 50% and 80% of adults in the United States have some degree of dental anxiety, ranging from mild to severe. 

What is more alarming is the fact that more than 20% of people dealing with dentophobia do not visit a dentist regularly, and somewhere between 9% and 15% of them completely avoid visiting the dentist altogether. 

So, dental fear is real and quite common. If the thought of visiting a dentist scares you, visit our gentle dentists at Streamside Dental in Vail, Colorado. They are experienced in treating patients with dental anxiety.

Read on to learn more about dental fear and how to overcome it.

Recognizing Dental Fear

The first step towards solving any problem is to recognize and acknowledge it. You may have dental fear if you have one or more of the following symptoms:

• Emotional signs: Experiencing fear, anxiety, panic, or apprehension towards the dental procedure.
• Physiological signs: Breathlessness, increased heart rate, nausea, sweating. 

Tips to Overcome Dental Fear

• Find the right dentist and talk to them about your fears and concerns
• Know that you are not alone
• Ask a friend or a loved one to accompany you to the dentist
• Limit your caffeine intake before a dental visit
• Schedule early morning appointments
• Read up about the dental procedure beforehand
• Ask for sedation/anesthesia whenever required
• Pick a dentist close to where you live or work so that you can schedule your visits more conveniently
• Practice breathing exercises
• Do yoga/meditation if it helps calm you
• Listen to music/podcasts or distract yourself to stop thinking about the upcoming dental visit

Practice Good Oral Hygiene Habits

Practicing good oral hygiene habits and making your dental health a priority can help prevent dental issues before they aggravate and help you avoid requiring dental procedures. You should: 

• Brush twice a day for at least two minutes
• Floss your teeth every day
• Visit a dental clinic once every 6 months for a routine checkup or a dental cleaning

On the other hand, if you are suffering from a toothache, tooth sensitivity, or bleeding gums, delaying your visit to a dental clinic because of dental fear might lead to more serious problems and more dental visits in the long run. 

To learn more about dental fear and how to overcome it, call Streamside Dental at (970) 479-0408 or visit us at 4592 Streamside Cir E, Vail, Colorado 81657.