Fear of Going to the Dentist aka Dentophobia

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsTypesComplicationsCoping

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

Types

Complications

Coping

Dentophobia (odontophobia), or fear of dentists, is a fairly common phobia among people of all ages. It is sometimes related toiatrophobia, or fear of doctors, as well astrypanophobia, or fear of needles. Dentophobia may be mild or severe, and can eventually lead to serious health issues.

You might be a bit anxious during an appointment, and thrilled when it’s over, but if you are able to deal with it without severe anxiety or avoiding it altogether, it’s unlikely you have a clinical phobia. If, however, your symptoms meet the criteria, it’s important to remember that you’re not alone, and that many people are able to successfully overcome their fears.

Dentophobia can be divided into numerous elements.Most people with this phobia fear more than one element, while those with severe dentophobia may fear all or most elements simultaneously:

Whether due to genetics or behavior, dental health varies dramatically from person to person. Some people are able to last for years between dentist visits with little or no impact on their teeth or gums. Others are prone to decay and gum disease, no matter how frequently they brush and floss. If you are not one of the lucky few, dentophobia can have real consequences in your life.

Tooth decay worsens over time. Small cavities that once could have been easily filled can lead to broken and rotten teeth, requiring expensive and invasive root canal therapy and reconstructive work. This knowledge can, in turn, make you even less likely to seek treatment, creating a vicious cycle.

Oral health is also associated with heart health, which is one of the many reasons it is critical to maintain healthy teeth and see the dentist if necessary.

In some cases, dental problems can cause infection. Failure to treat the infection could cause it to spread, causing medical illness. Infected tissues also hurt, so pain is not an uncommon effect of dentophobia.

There are also interpersonal implications to poor dental health. In the modern world, we are expected to have clean, healthy, shiny teeth. If yours become broken and rotted due to decay and neglect, you might experience social stigma. It may become more difficult to get certain jobs. Dating might be impacted and things could even become awkward amongst your friends and family. This can lead toisolation, depression, social anxiety, and even social withdrawal.

If your dentophobia is severe and paralyzing, it is best to consult with a trained mental health professional before beginning dental treatment.Cognitive-behavioral therapy,medications, andhypnosiscan help you get your fear under control.

Once your phobia is at a manageable level, you will be able to visit the dentist. However, it is important to choose the right dentist. Today’s dentistry is much different than what you may remember if it has been a long time since your last visit. Nonetheless, not all dentists use the same methods and techniques to assist patients with phobias.

It is always acceptable to schedule an initial consultation without a full exam and workup. When you call for the appointment, explain that you suffer from dentophobia and are not ready to book a full exam. This initial appointment will allow you to develop a rapport with the dentist and get used to their manner and demeanor.

As you progress to further appointments, remember that you are always in control.Work out a signal with your dentist that you can use when you need a break, and a different signal to let the dentist know you need more anesthetic. Even such matters as how far back the chair is tilted and the order of work performed can be discussed in advance. Talk to your dentist about the availability of sedatives that will allow you to sleep through the dental procedure.

Many people like to bring a portable music player or even a DVD system for their appointments (remember your earphones!). Some dentists offer these devices or have televisions or even virtual reality systems. These items can distract you and help you relax.

Dentophobia is a common and treatable phobia. Untreated, however, it can lead to a range of physical difficulties. See a mental health professional first to bring your phobia under control, and then search for a dentist that makes you feel comfortable. Finding a dentist that you fully trust is worth the effort.

8 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Wiener RC.Dental Fear and Delayed Dental Care in Appalachia-West Virginia.J Dent Hyg. 2015;89(4):274–281.Yahyaoglu O, Baygin O, Yahyaoglu G, Tuzuner T.Effect of Dentists' Appearance Related with Dental Fear and Caries aStatus in 6-12 Years Old Children.J ClinPediatr Dent.2018;42(4):262-268. doi:10.17796/1053-4628-42.4.4Kılıç C, Ak S, Ak HB.Anxiety sensitivity: another reason to separate dental fears from blood-injury fears?.J Anxiety Disord.2014;28(2):280-282. doi:10.1016/j.janxdis.2014.01.001Hakim H, Razak IA.Dental fear among medical and dental undergraduates.ScientificWorldJournal. 2014;2014:747508. doi:10.1155/2014/747508Griffiths M.Hypnosis for dental anxiety.Dent Update. 2014;41(1):78-80. doi:10.12968/denu.2014.41.1.78Armfield JM, Heaton LJ.Management of fear and anxiety in the dental clinic: a review.Aust Dent J. 2013;58(4):390-407. doi:10.1111/adj.12118Mark AM.Coping skills for facing dental fears.J Am Dent Assoc.2017 Feb;148(2):130. doi:10.1016/j.adaj.2016.12.003Schneider A, Andrade J, Tanja-dijkstra K, Moles DR.Mental imagery in dentistry: Phenomenology and role in dental anxiety.J Anxiety Disord.2018;58:33-41. doi:10.1016/j.janxdis.2018.06.009Additional ReadingAmerican Psychiatric Association.Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.5th ed. Washington D.C.: 2013.

8 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Wiener RC.Dental Fear and Delayed Dental Care in Appalachia-West Virginia.J Dent Hyg. 2015;89(4):274–281.Yahyaoglu O, Baygin O, Yahyaoglu G, Tuzuner T.Effect of Dentists' Appearance Related with Dental Fear and Caries aStatus in 6-12 Years Old Children.J ClinPediatr Dent.2018;42(4):262-268. doi:10.17796/1053-4628-42.4.4Kılıç C, Ak S, Ak HB.Anxiety sensitivity: another reason to separate dental fears from blood-injury fears?.J Anxiety Disord.2014;28(2):280-282. doi:10.1016/j.janxdis.2014.01.001Hakim H, Razak IA.Dental fear among medical and dental undergraduates.ScientificWorldJournal. 2014;2014:747508. doi:10.1155/2014/747508Griffiths M.Hypnosis for dental anxiety.Dent Update. 2014;41(1):78-80. doi:10.12968/denu.2014.41.1.78Armfield JM, Heaton LJ.Management of fear and anxiety in the dental clinic: a review.Aust Dent J. 2013;58(4):390-407. doi:10.1111/adj.12118Mark AM.Coping skills for facing dental fears.J Am Dent Assoc.2017 Feb;148(2):130. doi:10.1016/j.adaj.2016.12.003Schneider A, Andrade J, Tanja-dijkstra K, Moles DR.Mental imagery in dentistry: Phenomenology and role in dental anxiety.J Anxiety Disord.2018;58:33-41. doi:10.1016/j.janxdis.2018.06.009Additional ReadingAmerican Psychiatric Association.Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.5th ed. Washington D.C.: 2013.

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Wiener RC.Dental Fear and Delayed Dental Care in Appalachia-West Virginia.J Dent Hyg. 2015;89(4):274–281.Yahyaoglu O, Baygin O, Yahyaoglu G, Tuzuner T.Effect of Dentists' Appearance Related with Dental Fear and Caries aStatus in 6-12 Years Old Children.J ClinPediatr Dent.2018;42(4):262-268. doi:10.17796/1053-4628-42.4.4Kılıç C, Ak S, Ak HB.Anxiety sensitivity: another reason to separate dental fears from blood-injury fears?.J Anxiety Disord.2014;28(2):280-282. doi:10.1016/j.janxdis.2014.01.001Hakim H, Razak IA.Dental fear among medical and dental undergraduates.ScientificWorldJournal. 2014;2014:747508. doi:10.1155/2014/747508Griffiths M.Hypnosis for dental anxiety.Dent Update. 2014;41(1):78-80. doi:10.12968/denu.2014.41.1.78Armfield JM, Heaton LJ.Management of fear and anxiety in the dental clinic: a review.Aust Dent J. 2013;58(4):390-407. doi:10.1111/adj.12118Mark AM.Coping skills for facing dental fears.J Am Dent Assoc.2017 Feb;148(2):130. doi:10.1016/j.adaj.2016.12.003Schneider A, Andrade J, Tanja-dijkstra K, Moles DR.Mental imagery in dentistry: Phenomenology and role in dental anxiety.J Anxiety Disord.2018;58:33-41. doi:10.1016/j.janxdis.2018.06.009

Wiener RC.Dental Fear and Delayed Dental Care in Appalachia-West Virginia.J Dent Hyg. 2015;89(4):274–281.

Yahyaoglu O, Baygin O, Yahyaoglu G, Tuzuner T.Effect of Dentists' Appearance Related with Dental Fear and Caries aStatus in 6-12 Years Old Children.J ClinPediatr Dent.2018;42(4):262-268. doi:10.17796/1053-4628-42.4.4

Kılıç C, Ak S, Ak HB.Anxiety sensitivity: another reason to separate dental fears from blood-injury fears?.J Anxiety Disord.2014;28(2):280-282. doi:10.1016/j.janxdis.2014.01.001

Hakim H, Razak IA.Dental fear among medical and dental undergraduates.ScientificWorldJournal. 2014;2014:747508. doi:10.1155/2014/747508

Griffiths M.Hypnosis for dental anxiety.Dent Update. 2014;41(1):78-80. doi:10.12968/denu.2014.41.1.78

Armfield JM, Heaton LJ.Management of fear and anxiety in the dental clinic: a review.Aust Dent J. 2013;58(4):390-407. doi:10.1111/adj.12118

Mark AM.Coping skills for facing dental fears.J Am Dent Assoc.2017 Feb;148(2):130. doi:10.1016/j.adaj.2016.12.003

Schneider A, Andrade J, Tanja-dijkstra K, Moles DR.Mental imagery in dentistry: Phenomenology and role in dental anxiety.J Anxiety Disord.2018;58:33-41. doi:10.1016/j.janxdis.2018.06.009

American Psychiatric Association.Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.5th ed. Washington D.C.: 2013.

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