What Are Common Triggers of Dental Anxiety?

Wondering if there are things that can trigger dental anxiety? Yes, there are. There are many different levels of dental anxiety. This means that dental patients who experience this common dental-related problem may experience a bit of anxiousness, while others will experience a great deal of anxiousness.

Why dental patients experience anxiety

Learning that anyone can experience dental anxiety can help those who experience anxiety understand that it is not their fault for feeling that way. Many people who are living with any level of anxiety when thinking about or getting ready to go to the dental office do so because they are afraid of pain. This means they have experienced pain in a previous dental appointment, which now causes them to experience this common dental-related problem.

Common triggers that increase one’s anxious feeling

According to PsychCentral, a trigger is something that sets off a memory tape or flashback transporting the person back to the event of their original trauma. The list below includes three different triggers that are known to potentially cause someone to start feeling anxious or increase their current state of anxiousness.

Smelling the smells of a dental office

The smells within a dental office are quite distinct and can therefore trigger emotions of dental anxiety in many patients. A few examples of smells that tend to be inclusive for a dental office include clove oil, acrylic, disinfectant, anti-bacterial soap, sanitation ovens and tooth dust. These dental-related smells are common triggers for certain patients, causing them to start experiencing or even make their current levels of anxiousness worse.

Hearing dental sounds, like drills

Many people will begin to experience more anxious feelings once they hear any of the sounds in a dental office. One of the most noticeable sounds one will hear when they are in a dental waiting room is a dental drill. Another example of dental sounds that can trigger one’s anxious feelings includes hearing the suctioning sounds that take place in just about every dental appointment.

Seeing dental tools, like needles

A common trigger for many dental patients is just seeing dental tools. Dental tools are often already laid out on a tray, just waiting to be used if needed by the dental professional. Once a patient sees any of these tools or instruments, it can trigger their anxious feelings. A common dental tool that tends to cause a patient to immediately feel anxious is needles, as they do not want to experience any pain.

Living with dental anxiety?

Are you someone who is currently living with dental anxiety? It is easy for these feelings to get in the way of one’s ability to see their dental professional on a regular basis. Whether the cause of one’s anxiety stems from a previous painful dental appointment or another reason altogether, it is essential for dental patients to let their dental professional know exactly how they feel.

Request an appointment here: https://muhlenbergdental.com or call Muhlenberg Dental Associates at (610) 844-9825 for an appointment in our Reading office.

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