How to Overcome Dental Anxiety During A Pandemic

We are all afraid of something. Sadly, some people have developed anxiety over dentists and dental treatments. If you cringe at the idea of sitting in a dental chair, that can be a sign of dental anxiety.

According to a study conducted by ADA, 22% of the population are afraid of going to the dentist.  Without proper oral health treatments from a dental practice, you increase your chances of getting sick. Colorado State University researchers found more communities of disease-causing microbiomes on adults who did not visit the dentist for a year.

What is Dental Anxiety?

Dental anxiety is a constant feeling that something will go wrong during your dental treatment. It leads patients to neglect dental appointments that can progress their dental problems into emergency cases.

Possible reasons for dental anxiety:

  • Bad experience from a dentist/dental treatment
  • An underlying fear of medical or dental tools
  • Dentists were used by your parents to incite fear to discipline their children

Here’s a list of dental anxiety triggers you might have:


  • The sight of needles and air-turbine drills

  • Sounds of drilling

  • The smell of some chemicals like eugenol

  • Sensations of high-frequency vibrations in the mouth

  • Fear of blood

  • Trust issues with the dentist

  • Fear of sharp objects

  

How COVID-19 Has Intensified Dental Anxiety

With COVID-19, the fear of going to the dentist comes from getting infected and the usual fear of the dental experience. Dentistry has the highest exposure to the virus because the mouth is one of the primary sources of transmission.

Close contact with patients and aerosol treatments also poses risks of aerosolized transmission that requires dental care professionals to wear PPEs




Ways to Overcome Dental Anxiety During The Pandemic

Dentists are there to provide comfort and security that you’ll be fine during your dental treatment.  Here are some tips on how you can work as a team with your dentist to overcome your dental anxiety during the pandemic:

Communicate With Your Dentist

Telling the truth about your health condition during a pandemic is crucial. Some of the steps that you should adhere to communicating with your dentist are as follows:

  • You must be honest about your vital signs, travel history, exposure to the virus, and dental anxiety triggers.

  • Your dentist will explain the risks of having a dental treatment amid coronavirus.

  • Inform them right away if your condition is a dental emergency or not. You can classify your case here.

  • Your dentist can disclose your Patient Identifiable Information to authorities for contact tracing in case contamination occurs within the practice.

  • Inform them of your underlying medical conditions to know if you’re considered a high-risk patient.



Garg Dental Family hopes to see you smile again and be free from pain. May we all be safe in this uncertain time.


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