8 causes of dental anxiety and 8 ways we help you through it

Sometimes we wonder what it would be like if all our patients looked forward to coming to see us, but even before the team at Middleborough Dental Care started studying to become dentists, we knew that wouldn’t be the case.

The one thing we would like you to know, though, is that everyone who does what we do is aware that visiting the dentist can be challenging and even upsetting for some people, so we do our very best to make it less so.

We understand and we care

If you do experience some level of fear, stress, or anxiety associated with visiting the dentist, you should know that you’re not alone and that you shouldn’t be at all embarrassed to confide in us.

While we do what we can to make every patient feel as comfortable and cared for as possible, if we know that you have a higher level of anxiety, we can take further steps to mitigate that. 

You might be surprised to learn just how much we know about dental anxiety, its causes, and what we can do to help those with dental anxiety still get the best treatment and health outcomes.

For example, if your anxiety was triggered by something that happened at the dentist many years ago, it might be enough for you to understand that we can now treat patients very effectively with much less poking and probing and less time in the chair.

What is dental anxiety?

Unfortunately, millions of people worldwide experience sweaty palms, racing hearts, or sleepless nights before a dental appointment. It’s estimated that one in five people is unduly stressed simply by the thought of sitting in a dentist’s chair.

Dental anxiety exists on a spectrum, ranging from mild nervousness before appointments to severe dental phobia that prevents people from seeking necessary oral healthcare altogether. If anxiety does interfere with your ability to receive proper dental care, that’s a real problem.

While dental anxiety is a blanket term, the ways it can manifest vary greatly. Some people are comfortable with routine cleanings but become anxious about more invasive procedures. Others experience anxiety from the moment they schedule an appointment, regardless of the procedure involved.

8 common causes of dental anxiety

The more we (and you) understand the trigger for your anxiety, the better equipped we are to lessen it. The root cause of the development of dental anxiety could be any one of the following – or, of course, a combination of two or more.

A traumatic experience

A previous negative encounter with dental care could be the foundation for ongoing anxiety. A painful procedure, feeling rushed or not listened to by a dentist, or experiencing complications during treatment can create lasting psychological associations between dental visits and distress.

Fear of pain

Despite significant advances in pain management and local anaesthetics, many people still associate dental work with discomfort. This fear often stems from stories shared by others or outdated perceptions of dental procedures from decades past.

Loss of control

Being in a vulnerable position with your mouth open while someone works inside it can trigger feelings of helplessness. The inability to speak easily or stop a procedure immediately can intensify anxiety for those who need to feel in control of their environment.

Embarrassment

Concerns about bad breath, dental hygiene, or the appearance of teeth can cause significant embarrassment. Some patients worry about being judged by their dentist or dental staff, particularly if they’ve neglected their oral health due to previous anxiety.

Needle phobia

The fear of injections extends beyond dental offices, but the sight of dental syringes can be particularly triggering. Even patients who aren’t bothered by medical injections may struggle with dental needles due to their size or the sensitive nature of mouth tissues. 

Sensory sensitivities

The dental clinic environment can overwhelm sensitive individuals. The sound of drills, suction devices, and other equipment, combined with bright lights, chemical smells, and various textures and sensations in the mouth, can trigger anxiety responses 

Claustrophobia

Some patients feel trapped or enclosed during dental procedures, especially when dental dams are used or when the dentist and assistant are working closely around their face and mouth.

General anxiety disorders

Those with broader anxiety conditions may find that dental visits exacerbate their symptoms, creating a compound effect that makes dental care particularly challenging.

8 ways we address dental anxiety 

Like most dental professionals, the team here at Middleborough Dental Care is well aware that addressing patient anxiety is crucial for providing effective healthcare. As a result, we’ve been able to implement a wide range of strategies to create a more comfortable environment for all patients. 

A welcoming environment

You might not even notice, but our effort to make you comfortable starts as soon as you walk through the door. We’ve consciously used calming décor and limited the sensory stimulation in the common areas of the clinic so patients will feel more relaxed. In the treatment room, there are Bluetooth headphones available to play music to distract you from the noisy instruments. 

Gentle communication

At MDC, we always prioritise clear, compassionate communication. We take time to explain procedures in detail, answer questions thoroughly, and discuss what you can expect during treatment. This makes you feel like you’re more involved in the process, rather than just being a “bystander” while something you don’t understand is happening to you, but it’s also an effort to eliminate a common fear: the fear of the unknown.

Sedation options

Various sedation methods allow patients to undergo dental procedures while feeling relaxed and comfortable. Nitrous oxide (laughing gas) provides mild relaxation while allowing patients to remain conscious and responsive. Oral sedation involves taking prescribed medication before the appointment to reduce anxiety.

Pain management advances

Modern anaesthetic techniques and medications have made dental procedures far more comfortable than in the past. Topical anaesthetics can numb the injection site before administering local anaesthetics, and we can use techniques to make injections virtually painless. 

Signal systems

Establishing clear communication signals helps patients feel more in control during procedures. We want it to be easy for you to let us know when you need a break, if you’re experiencing discomfort, or just want us to stop so you can ask a question. Again, we don’t want you to feel as if you aren’t in control of the situation.

Flexible scheduling

We understand that anxious patients may need more time to allow for a few more breaks and not feel that there is time pressure, along with everything else that’s going on. We can arrange longer appointment slots or schedule anxious patients during quieter periods of the day. On the other hand, it might be that shorter, more frequent visits could gradually build a level of comfort for some patients. 

Use of technology

Advanced dental technology generally helps us make procedures faster, more precise, and more comfortable. For example, intraoral cameras allow patients to see what the dentist sees, promoting understanding and trust. Using numbing gel and EMS airflow units for teeth cleaning greatly reduces discomfort.

Specialised training

Our dentists have taken additional training in anxiety management, patient psychology, and working with younger patients. This specialised knowledge helps us recognise anxiety symptoms, communicate more effectively with nervous patients, and implement appropriate interventions.

Caring for your oral health is a team effort 

Whether it involves specific actions to overcome dental anxiety or not, we see your oral health as a collaborative process between you and the Middleborough Dental Care team. 

We get the most successful outcomes when we work together with patience, understanding, and clear communication. We understand that building trust takes time and that, when working through an issue such as dental anxiety, each small step forward represents significant progress.

If you struggle with dental anxiety, remember that seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness. Your oral health is so closely connected to your overall well-being that overcoming dental fears can have far-reaching positive effects on your quality of life.

With the right dental team and appropriate support strategies, even the most anxious patients can receive the care they need in a comfortable, supportive environment.

Regular visits help build comfort and reduce anxiety

One thing that we do know is that the longer you put off visiting the dentist, the harder it feels to “bite the bullet” and make that appointment you now need even more than before.

Even though six-monthly visits to the dentist are not everyone’s favourite thing, the upside of keeping up this regular part of your oral health regimen is considerable (and the downside of failing to do so can be both painful and expensive).

Coming in regularly for a check-up and professional cleaning is so important that we do whatever we can to make it easy for you. That’s why we use the EMS AIRFLOW to painlessly remove plaque and stains, using just warm water, air, and some special powder.

So, now that we’ve helped build your level of comfort, why not go straight to Middleborough Dental Care’s simple online appointment booking interface and book your next appointment?

And please don’t hesitate to call us on (03) 9808 0207 if you would like to talk to someone first, so that we can understand and cater for your particular needs – or you can use our contact form to ask any more detailed questions.