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You probably don’t know many people that actually look forward to the dentist. Even though most dental procedures don’t physically hurt, the mere act of going to the dentist’s office can make you feel like a field mice in a python cage.
When the dread of going to the dentist becomes an intense and irrational fear, it’s considered a dental phobia. Today, we’re going to talk about some of the ins and outs of dental phobia, in order to help you or your loved ones get one step closer to conquering your fear.
Unfortunately, some people might think that dental phobia is stupid, embarrassing, or an excuse for sedation dentistry. So, let’s first get the record straight: dental anxiety is incredibly common, and you shouldn’t feel ashamed if you have it.
In fact, about 9-15% of Americans are so scared of the dentist that they’ll skip out on their appointments altogether. In a study by the British Dental Health Foundation, they deduced that 37% of patients don’t see the dentist regularly out of an intense fear.
Why is Dental Anxiety Detrimental?
Dental phobia can lead to a variety of physical and mental health issues. Like most mental disorders, if left untreated, it can worsen over time. Patients with a fear of going to the dentist have a higher risk of gum disease and early tooth loss, mostly due to their refusal to go to the dentist. Poor oral health can lead to poor overall health, and even decrease your life expectancy.
Missing a routine dental appointment not seem like a big deal. If you’re not feeling any immediate pain, it might seem pointless to go in for a cleaning. However, this could be harming your dental health more than you imagine. When you go in for routine cleanings, we’re able to fight tartar buildup that you don’t get by flossing and brushing at home. One of the easiest ways to get gum disease is by not going to the dentist.
When you don’t fight gum disease, you’re allowing your mouth to exist in a permanent state of inflammation. Bacterial overgrowth and inflammation in the mouth is linked to larger health issues, like heart disease and even lung infections.
Not to mention, when you’re under constant anxiety about anything, it raises the cortisol levels in your body. Cortisol is what’s known as the “stress hormone,” and when it gets out of hand, it can affect your brain and your body’s ability to repair itself. Excess cortisol puts you at an even higher risk for illness and disease, because it weakens your body’s immune response.
In fact, studies show that people in lower socioeconomic classes have higher rates of disease and illness, because they’re more stressed about money, raising their cortisol levels, and making them more prone to illness and disease.
Beyond the physical damage caused by anxiety and dental phobia, it can also cause emotional turmoil. When you allow your smile to get unhealthy, discolored, and inflamed, it can take a serious toll on your self-esteem. It’s not uncommon for people with unhealthy smiles to quit smiling all together, which can cause mind boggling depression.
This is just one of the many reasons why you should treat tooth loss. If you have dental anxiety, it’s imperative that you get treatment sooner rather than later. Whether you seek help through cognitive therapy or opt for sedation dentistry, it’s important to never give up hope.