Dental Anxiety: When Fear of the Dentist Is More Than “Just Being Nervous”
For many people, going to the dentist brings up much more than a little nervousness. Dental anxiety or fear of the dentist can involve feelings of panic, loss of control, embarrassment, fear of pain, past negative dental experiences, sensory discomfort, or a nervous system that goes into fight-or-flight before you even sit in the dental chair. For some people, that anxiety becomes strong enough that they begin avoiding dental appointments altogether.
This is a topic especially meaningful to me because it brings together two parts of my professional life. Before becoming a therapist, I spent many years working as a dental hygienist. Now, as a mental health counselor in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, I have a different understanding of what may be happening underneath the fear, avoidance, and physical symptoms of anxiety I saw so often in the dental chair.
I recently had the opportunity to join a podcast conversation about dental anxiety and dental phobia, where we discussed why dental visits can feel so overwhelming, what happens in the body and nervous system when anxiety takes over, and practical ways to cope with anxiety at the dentist. We also discuss how communication, a sense of control, and understanding the body's stress response can help make dental care feel safer and more manageable.
If you experience anxiety before dental appointments, have a strong fear of dental work, avoid the dentist because of anxiety or embarrassment, or simply want to understand why your body reacts so strongly in the dental chair, I hope this conversation helps you feel more understood and more empowered going into your next visit.
Listen to the Podcast below:
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