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Common Fears
Most dental phobia sufferers don't realize that many people are, or used to be, as terrified as themselves. It can be helpful to know that you're by no means the only one with this problem! In this section, you can:
Find out what dental phobia, dental fear and dental anxiety are:
What is Dental Phobia? - definitions, causes and prevalence.
Find out where to start:
Dental Fears - The Basics This might be a good starting point if you're terrified of everything to do with dentists.
Find out about some common dental fears and get tips for dealing with them:
The Dentist "I'm terrified of the dentist!"
Embarrassment "My teeth are the worst the dentist has ever seen; I feel guilty, ashamed, and scared of 'The Lecture'. I'm worried that the dentist will berate me, humiliate me, or judge me."
Loss of Control "I fear the overwhelming loss of control in the dental chair. I'm petrified of the dentist doing things to me and having little or no say in the matter. I'm scared of not knowing what's going on or what to expect."
Pain "Dentistry is simply too painful, I can't handle that amount of pain. Going there is not safe."
Painful Injections or Needle Phobia "I'm petrified of dental injections". "I've got a phobia of needles, the thought or sight of them makes me feel terrified and faint."
The Sights, Sounds and Smells "It's the whole environment - the sights, sounds and smells - that gives me the creeps!"
Gagging "I have a really bad gag reflex."
Panicking or Crying "I'm going to pass out the minute I walk through the door. I'll be panicking, crying, or shaking uncontrollably."
The Drill (erm, handpiece) "I feel faint and sick to the stomach just thinking about the sound of the drill."
Feeling Numb "The feeling of numbness is scary and makes me panic!" "I'm worried I won't be able to breathe when I'm numb."
Choking ""I'm terrified of choking, not getting any air, or being unable to swallow. I'm worried that I might die."
Unnecessary (or Wrong) Treatment "I'm scared that the dentist will carry out unnecessary treatment."
Allergy to "Novocain" "I have an allergic reaction to novacaine."
Not Getting Numb "Dentists have failed to get me numb in the past; I'm scared it'll happen again."
Being Awake "I'm terrified of knowing what's going on - I'd much rather not know!"
Needing Extensive Treatment "I'm worried that I'll need lots of treatment." "I'm pretty sure I won't be able to keep my teeth. I'm also worried about not having teeth and others seeing me like that."
The Cost of Dental Treatment "I won't be able to afford dental treatment."
Fear of Medical Settings "I'm terrified of medical settings in general - doctors, dentists, anything to do with hospitals, you name it." Also includes blood phobia.
Problems with Toothbrushing Lack of motivation, being scared of seeing one's teeth, having given up because it's "too late anyway", toothpaste phobia, and a strong gag reflex - these are all reasons why people find it almost impossible to brush their teeth. Here you can find some tips for dealing with these problems.
Find out about dental phobia relating to sexual, physical, or emotional abuse:
Tips for Abuse Survivors and Their Dentists This article, written by an abuse survivor, provides practical tips for dentists and survivors for making dental visits more bearable.
Sexual Abuse in Childhood and Dental Fear - An interview with clinical psychologist Dr Carmen Santos.