When Adults Avoid Dental Visits Out of Fear

Anxiety associated with routine visits to the dentist is very common. Although most of us may associate such fear with small children, it is surprisingly widespread throughout the adult population. Those types of feelings are often the result of a traumatic childhood experience. Oftentimes, those negative past experiences often had nothing to do with a dental visit.

Peter Milgrom, DDS, the director of the Dental Fears Research Clinic at the University of Washington in Seattle, reveals that many adults, "have issues for which fear of dentists can be an unpleasant side effect, such as mood or anxiety disorders, substance abuse or posttraumatic stress experienced by war veterans and victims of domestic and childhood abuse."

Who's Afraid of the Dentist?

It is no big surprise that many youngsters have quite a bit of trepidation upon learning of their first visit to the dentist. That is certainly understandable, especially considering how kids' imaginations can often get the best of them. The general "fear of the unknown" is another logical factor. Helping them overcome these fears and worries is the first step to successfully putting them on the path to excellent dental health. Here are a few strategies:

Are you scared of the dentist?

Ease your Dental Fears

Dental phobia is a big reason people suffer serious and sometimes painful complications with their teeth and gums. Delaying or avoiding dental visits because of the anxiety they may cause leads to the potential for a much more serious situation. A fear of dental procedures is quite common, and can range from a mild case of butterflies to full-blown panic. Here are some simple steps you can take to help ease your fear, and enjoy the benefits of great oral health with regular visits to the dentist.