What is Dentophobia?

Dentophobia, also called odontophobia, is an intense fear of dentists or dental visits. If you have this condition, you may experience strong feelings of anxiety when thinking about going to the dentist or when you are in the dental clinic. Because of this fear, you may delay or avoid dental appointments even when you are experiencing pain or other dental problems.

What is a Phobia?

A phobia is a type of anxiety condition characterised by a strong fear of a specific situation, object, or activity. If you have a phobia, the fear that you are experiencing can be overwhelming and may not match the actual level of danger. As a result, your body may respond by producing symptoms such as sweating, a rapid heartbeat, nausea, or feelings of panic. Depending on the type of phobia, it may affect your daily routine and overall well-being. Dentophobia is considered a specific phobia since the fear is triggered by a specific situation – in this case, dental care.

Causes of Dentophobia

Dentophobia can be triggered by a variety of different factors, such as the following:

Past traumatic experience

If you have had a negative experience at the dentist, especially during childhood, it can have a lasting psychological impact.

Genetics

You are more likely to have dentophobia if you have a family history of phobias or anxiety disorders.

Fear of pain

The level of pain a person experiences varies, and some may perceive dental procedures as a source of severe pain.

Loss of control

You may experience loss of control, especially when being in a dental chair, as this position can make you feel vulnerable and unable to see what is happening during the procedure.

Fear of Judgment

In some cases, you may feel embarrassed about the condition of your gums or teeth, resulting in avoidance of dental visits.

Sensory overload

Certain stimuli associated with dental procedures, like suction, the sound of professional cleaning tools, bright lights, strong smells, and sensations in your mouth, can make you feel uncomfortable and anxious.

Fear of choking or gagging

Most dental procedures involve working inside your mouth, which may affect your ability to breathe properly and result in anxiety.

Media influence

Movies, TV shows, and books sometimes portray dentists and dental treatment in a negative way, which can affect how you think or feel about dental visits.

Symptoms

Dentophobia can affect people in different ways. Some may feel emotional symptoms, while others may feel physical symptoms. In addition, these symptoms may occur before or during a dental visit.

If you have dentophobia, you may experience the following symptoms:

Avoiding or delaying dental appointments, even when you have pain
Chest tightness
Crying or feeling overwhelmed before or during a visit
Dizziness or lightheadedness
Fast heartbeat
Feeling a strong urge to leave the dental clinic once you arrive
Feeling like you cannot catch your breath
Feeling nervous, restless, or unable to focus before an appointment
Feeling panicked or having a panic attack
Feeling tense in your jaw, neck, or shoulders
Intense fear when thinking about going to the dentist
Nausea or upset stomach
Sweating, shaking, or trembling
Trouble sleeping the night before a dental visit

If these symptoms are stopping you from getting dental care, it may help to speak with a dental professional at Oasis Dental Studio in Gold Coast, Brisbane, Melbourne, and Pottsville. The dental team can discuss support options with you and adjust your care to help you feel more comfortable. You can also let the team know about your concerns before your appointment so they can plan a calmer and more supportive visit.

Management and Treatment

There are different options to manage dentophobia depending on the cause and severity of your fears. The goal is to help you feel more in control and make dental visits easier over time.

Common treatments and support options for dentophobia include:

Clear communication and planning: This is an important step for you to know what to expect during a dental visit or procedure.
Agreed stop signal: During dental procedures, you can use a hand signal to pause treatment at any time, which can help reduce anxiety and make you feel more in control.
Short, gradual appointments: This involves starting with simple visits, such as a check-up or professional dental cleaning, to help you build trust and confidence before moving to treatments that take longer or feel more difficult for you.
Comfort breaks during treatment: Taking regular breaks during dental procedures can make you feel less anxious.
Calming techniques: This involves slow breathing, relaxation exercises, listening to music, or using distractions to help lower anxiety during a dental visit or treatment.
Numbing gel: A numbing gel can be applied to the treatment area before an injection, which may help minimise discomfort if you have a fear of needles.
Sedation options (if appropriate): Depending on the procedure and your overall health, dentist-approved sedation methods can be used to reduce discomfort.
Support from a psychologist or therapist: A dentist can also refer you to a psychologist or therapist for cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) to help manage your phobia.
Treatment for specific triggers: Depending on the cause of your phobia, the dental team can adjust the approach and use techniques to make treatment more comfortable and manageable.

When to See a Dentist or Doctor for Dentophobia

Getting appropriate support early can help prevent dental problems from progressing into more complex conditions and make future dental visits easier to manage.

You should schedule a consultation with a dentist or doctor if:

You have ongoing dental pain, swelling, bleeding gums, or broken teeth, but fear is stopping you from seeking care.
You keep delaying routine check-ups and cleans, and you have not seen a dentist in a long time.
Your dental problems are getting worse, such as cavities, gum disease, or ongoing bad breath.
Your fear affects your daily life, such as work, relationships, sleep, and overall well-being.

During your consultation at Oasis Dental Studio in Gold Coast, Brisbane, Melbourne, and Pottsville, the dental team can talk you through support options and adjust your care plan to suit your needs. If necessary, they may also refer you to another healthcare professional, such as a medical doctor or mental health professional, for further assessment and management of your dentophobia or related phobias.

Why Contact Oasis Dental Studio for Dentophobia Issues

If you are concerned about dentophobia or if this condition is affecting your overall well-being, the dental team at Oasis Dental Studio in Gold Coast (Broadbeach, Palm Beach, Chirn Park, and Ferry Road), Brisbane (West End), Melbourne (Brighton), and Northern NSW (Pottsville) can help you understand what may be causing the issue and its related symptoms, along with the treatment and management options specific to your needs. During your consultation, the team will assess your medical history and other factors to determine what may be contributing to your dentophobia. Based on these assessments, they will create a treatment plan that is suitable for you.

Our clinics are QIP-accredited, which means they are checked against set standards for safe and high-quality care. In addition, this means that the dental team focus on listening to patient concerns, supporting different needs, and improving overall patient care. Furthermore, the team works with Australian dental labs and uses premium materials to support consistent care across all locations.

If treatment is recommended, the dental team can talk you through the options that may suit you, such as calming techniques, support from a psychologist or therapist, and treatment for specific triggers. They will discuss whether treatment and management options for dentophobia may help reduce anxiety around dental visits and make appointments feel more manageable. The dental team can also adjust the way care is provided, such as using shorter visits, clear communication, and regular breaks, based on your comfort level.

More ODS dental symptoms pages:

Medical references for Dentophobia:

Dentophobia (Fear of the Dentist): Causes, Symptoms and Treatment