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Dental fear affects both children and adults. In the minds of many who suffer from dental phobia, the phrase "dentist" conjures up images of terrible tools. This type of fear may prevent patients from visiting the dentist regularly, causing their dental health to deteriorate.

At Armitage Dental in Phoenix, AZ, our highly skilled dental team works with patients who have dental phobias to help them relax and view their dental treatments as pleasant and relaxing.

What Is Dental Phobia?

A fear of dentists and dental work is known as dental phobia. Dental phobia is caused by a complex and multi-layered set of phobias, which means that each patient will experience various stimuli, levels of anxiety, and symptoms.

What Causes Dental Phobia?

• A traumatic dental or medical encounter
• Previous head and neck trauma
• Anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder are all examples of generalized anxiety disorders.
• The belief is that the mouth is a personal space and that entering it constitutes an invasion of personal space.
• Fear of loss of control
• Trust issues
• Anxiety caused by other issues such as agoraphobia, claustrophobia, or obsessive-compulsive disorder, where there is an obsession with cleanliness, can make it difficult to receive dental care.

Tips to Overcome Dental Phobia

Communicate Your Anxiety and Fears

Communication is the bedrock of any healthy relationship. It's ideal to express your concerns, anxieties, and worries early on, even before you schedule an appointment with a dentist. In this manner, you're providing the dentist with a tool to assess your situation and personalize an action plan to your specific needs. 

Use Relaxation Techniques

Relaxation activities might assist you in remaining calm during therapy. Controlled breathing, which involves taking a deep breath and gently exhaling, is one method for relaxing. This will assist in relaxing your muscles and slowing your heartbeat.

Discover the Source of Your Fear

Recognizing that you are terrified or nervous is a necessary step in recovery.  Begin to comprehend why you are feeling the way you are.  Before you go in for treatment, discuss this with your dentist.

When the dentist understands what is affecting you, they can assist you in developing solutions that will make you more comfortable in the future.

See if Sedatives Are Necessary

To keep a patient quiet and relaxed during therapy, sedation can be used. Discuss with your dentist whether sedatives are necessary, and if so, which one will be most effective for you.

Contact Armitage Dental in Phoenix, AZ, for the best dental care. To book an appointment, call (623) 872-8686 or visit 10265 W Camelback Rd STE 140, Phoenix, AZ 85037.