Dental Phobia and the Harm It Causes

Even with all the wonderful advances in the field of dentistry, the majority of Americans are still afraid to go to the dentist. It is estimated that about three quarters of the population suffers from some type of dental anxiety, while up to 25% are dental phobic. For those who completely steer clear of the dental office, oral health and their overall well-being is at risk.

Dental Phobia Explained

Unlike anxiety, dental phobia is an extreme dread of dentistry. Phobias can be debilitating, limiting what a person can or cannot do. More serious than anxiety, dental phobia can lead to panic attacks. It may become difficult to breathe, and the thought of visiting the dentist can make the phobic person feel physically ill or suffer a crying episode.

People with this condition may realize that the fear is not rational; however, they are helpless in the face of it. Individuals with dental phobia will suffer through the extreme pain of a toothache rather than see a dentist. Meanwhile, their oral health may be deteriorating due to lack of dental care.

Causes
There are many reasons a person may develop dental phobia. Most often it has to do with the fear of pain. Early dental experiences that involved pain or hearing stories about the terrible experiences of others can be the cause. There is also the fear of needles. The idea of having an injection in the mouth can be terrifying to a person who hates needles.

Local anesthesia causes that part of your mouth to go numb. Some individuals cannot tolerate the numbness or “fat lip” sensation that the anesthetic causes. There is also the fear of side effects such as dizziness, light-headedness or nausea.

Consequences
Unfortunately, lack of dental care can result in serious problems. Dental health can be linked to other serious health conditions such as diabetes, stroke and cardiovascular disease. In addition to the embarrassment of having bad teeth, neglecting your oral health can put your well-being at risk.

Badly decayed teeth can lead to infection throughout the body if not treated. Neglected gum disease can lead to tooth loss. Lack of teeth can lead to chronic kidney problems.

Dental phobia can cause a variety of health issues related to poor oral care. Fortunately, there is a way to address the phobia and receive needed dental care.

Benefits of Sleep Sedation

Sleep sedation is performed in a hospital or surgical center. General anesthesia is administered by an anesthesiologist who is a doctor, or by an anesthetist who is supervised by a doctor. This procedure produces a deep, unconscious sleep state and procedures can be performed without anxiety or fear on the part of the patient.

Take care of your teeth and they will take care of you. Sedation dentistry is offered at all levels at the office of Dr. Barnett. Call today to schedule your appointment or to find out more about sleep dentistry.