Although the people who have it usually do not want to talk about it, dental fears are exceedingly common. And while many people who suffer from dental phobias may feel alone, as many as 7 out of 10 dental patients report having anxiety when it comes to seeing their dental team. Usually linked to an unsympathetic dental professional in their past, learned behaviours from an older family member or sensory-based issues, it is important, for both your physical and mental health, that any dental concerns you may have are managed professionally to help you feel more at ease in the dental chair. But what are some of the signs that you may be more than a bit worried about and need some help seeing your dentist in Southgate?

Panic

Physically, panic can feel similar to a heart attack.

Many people, who panic about seeing their dental team, report a fast heart rate, sweating and a feeling of being crushed around their chest whenever they get into the dental chair. Depending on how severe your phobia is, you may feel this sensation when walking past a dental surgery. If you suffer from panic, talk to your dental professional from Southgate about it and discuss the sedation options that they can provide you with.

Fainting

A step up from blind panic (and usually following a panic-based episode) is fainting. Also referred to as syncope, fainting is related to the fight or flight response and is usually caused by low blood pressure. If you faint when in your local dental surgery, you may need more intensive help to face your phobias, such as counselling or cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT).

Depression

Do you feel depressed in the lead up to a dental check-up? Do you feel depressed directly after attending one? Both of these are signs that you have some kind of anxiety revolving around this procedure. If prevalent, you may need to seek the help of a trained therapist or counsellor to help you explore why you feel this way about dental appointments.

Avoidance

It is common for humans to avoid things that they do not like. If you have anxiety or phobias surrounding dental check-ups, then you are more likely to ignore those texts and emails reminding you to attend a trip to your nearby surgery. If you avoid check-ups, there is a higher chance of the underlying issues being missed and any treatments being more invasive when they do occur. This can then serve as another source of anxiety and add to the phobia.

If you can relate to this, talk to your dental team and explore anxiety-reducing options.

Withdrawal

If you mentally withdraw during your check-ups (being non-responsive and/or acting distant), this is a sign of a low-key panic disorder. While somewhat harmless, this can build in intensity if left untreated, prompting more severe anxiety responses in the future. If you do seem to have issues remembering check-ups or have been told you phase out, seek psychological help and discuss this with your dental team.

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