Dentophobia symptoms

Dentophobia symptoms, Fear is one of the most basic human emotions that we have all experienced at some point in our lives. We are born with the survival instincts to react to fear or danger, which we call the “fight or flight” reflex. There will be occasions, though, when we are unable to control our fears; situations in which we are helpless to fight or flee.

Can you imagine going to the dentist with this kind of anxiety? Dentophobia can paralyse you, and the consequences for your oral health can be disastrous, leading to gum disease, tooth decay, and other oral disorders. What, on the other hand, is Dentophobia and what are Dentophobia symptoms?

What exactly is dentophobia?

Dentophobia is a fear of dentists or dental procedures. This phobia affects people of all ages and is frequently linked to other phobias including iatrophobia (fear of physicians), trypanophobia (fear of needles), and even agoraphobia (fear of public places) (fear of being in a situation where escape would be difficult or impossible).

FACT: Dentists are feared by about 75% of the world’s adult population.

fear can be so acute and distressing in some situations that the panic attack can lead to other dental issues.

Dentophobia symptoms and Signs

Dentophobia can cause a number of physical and psychological problems, including:

  • Avoidance is the best strategy (one might put off seeing the dentist, leading to various dental complications)
  • Dentists’ fear causes more expensive dental treatment.
  • Involvement in numerous aspects of your life
  • Crying, yelling, shaking, and/or sweating are all things that come to mind when I’m feeling down.
  • Feeling sick to my stomach
  • Panic Attack in Full Swing: this involves the desire to flee or hide.

Dentophobia Comes in a Variety of Forms

Dentophobia is a dread that can be caused by a variety of factors. People who suffer from this phobia are often afraid of one or two of the components connected with dentophobia, but those who suffer from it seriously are afraid of all of them at the same time.

The elements are as follows:

  • Gagging or Numbness – Some patients, particularly those who have had trouble breathing or have choked, are afraid of having their mouths numb. They are afraid that if they get numb, they will be unable to breathe or swallow.
  • Needles – Getting an injection may be painful for both children and adults, and witnessing unnecessary drills and sharp items at the dentist can exacerbate our phobia of the dentist.

FACT: Approximately 20% of people are afraid of needles.

  • Sounds and Odors – If you’ve had a bad or painful experience at the dentist’s office, all of the sounds and smells at the office, especially the sounds of a drill, will exacerbate your anxieties and phobias.
  • Visiting the Dentist – The dentist, like many other professionals, is frequently portrayed as cold, unfeeling, and, in the worst-case scenarios, a sadist. Dentists, on the other hand, are experts who are concerned about your oral health and want to protect your teeth and smile.
  • The Pain – Medical developments have made it possible to have painless dentistry in recent years. However, a small amount of pain may be experienced during several dental operations. Visiting the dentist increases your risk of developing dentophobia if you are particularly sensitive to oral discomfort.

 

Read also: Feel anxious visiting a dentist?

Read also: Dental Anxiety and Fear: How to control dentophobia?