{"id":626,"date":"2021-03-31T17:09:00","date_gmt":"2021-03-31T17:09:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.longfamilydental.com\/blog\/?p=626"},"modified":"2025-02-20T14:33:47","modified_gmt":"2025-02-20T14:33:47","slug":"common-causes-of-dental-phobia","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.longfamilydental.com\/blog\/2021\/03\/31\/common-causes-of-dental-phobia\/","title":{"rendered":"Do You Struggle with Dental-Related Anxiety? This Might Be Why."},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"alignleft size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.longfamilydental.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/Woman_feeling_anxious_during_dental_exam_-1.jpg\" alt=\"Woman feeling anxious during dental exam\" class=\"wp-image-627\" width=\"378\" height=\"269\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.longfamilydental.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/Woman_feeling_anxious_during_dental_exam_-1.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.longfamilydental.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/Woman_feeling_anxious_during_dental_exam_-1-300x213.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.longfamilydental.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/Woman_feeling_anxious_during_dental_exam_-1-768x546.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 378px) 100vw, 378px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>If you struggle with a dental phobia, then you already know how unpleasant even visiting your dentist for a six-month dental checkup can be. Therefore, your natural reaction may be to skip your visits altogether. Unfortunately, this can negatively impact both the function and aesthetic of your smile, requiring more restorative and cosmetic dental work down the line. To prevent this from happening, the best place to start is by identifying the source of your dental-related anxiety. Unsure what it is? Keep reading for a few common causes, tips for managing your nerves, and how your dentist can help.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<!--more-->\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Common Causes of Dental-Related Anxiety<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>According to the US National Library of Medicine, a few of the most common causes of dental phobia are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>A previous traumatic dental experience.<\/li><li>Indirect vicarious experiences, like seeing a family member struggle with a fear of the dentist.<\/li><li>Generalized anxiety disorder.<\/li><li>Fear of loss of control.<\/li><li>Anxiety associated with the sights, sounds, and smells of a dental practice.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">5 Tips to Managing Your Dental Phobia<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>No matter how well you care for your teeth and gums at home, your oral hygiene routine isn\u2019t complete without your six-month visits to the dentist. Since even routine checkups and cleanings can be the source of mild to severe anxiety, using the below coping techniques can be extremely useful:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Deep breathing.<\/li><li>Meditation.<\/li><li>Distraction, like listening to music or watching a TV show.<\/li><li>Guided imagery.<\/li><li>Progressive muscle relaxation.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How Your Dentist Can Help<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>All too often, patients feel like they can\u2019t share their fears and concerns with their dentist. In reality, your dental team <em>wants<\/em> to know what they can do to make your experience at their practice a good one. For this reason, many dentists adopt the \u201cexplain first\u201d method, where they explain what they are going to do before they actually do it. This ensures patients don\u2019t feel like they are in the dark, allowing them to relax in the treatment chair. If you struggle with more severe anxiety, then ask about <a href=\"https:\/\/www.longfamilydental.com\/sedation-dentistry.html\">sedation dentistry<\/a>. That way, you can enter a deep state of relaxation, effectively keeping your anxiety at bay throughout your appointment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Dental phobia is extremely common and nothing to be ashamed of. If you have been putting off visiting the dentist due to dental-related anxiety, then use the above coping mechanisms or ask about sedation dentistry before your visit!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">About the Practice<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Over 40 years ago, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.longfamilydental.com\/about-long-family-dental.html\">Long Family Dental<\/a> opened their doors to the Cleburne community. The goal? To provide patients nearby with skilled care, comfortable attention, and top-notch dentistry. All these years later, Dr. Bob and Dr. Chris are living out that original mission each day and at every appointment. They are never interested in passing judgment or giving lectures \u2013 they just want you to get the dental work you need in a stress-free (even enjoyable!) environment. If you struggle with dental phobia, don\u2019t hesitate to get in touch with our team through our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.longfamilydental.com\/contact.html\">website<\/a> or by phone at <strong>817-645-2437<\/strong>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>If you struggle with a dental phobia, then you already know how unpleasant even visiting your dentist for a six-month dental checkup can be. Therefore, your natural reaction may be to skip your visits altogether. Unfortunately, this can negatively impact both the function and aesthetic of your smile, requiring more restorative and cosmetic dental work [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-626","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.5 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Common Causes of Dental Phobia l Long Family Dental<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Even your routine visits can be stressful when you have a dental phobia. 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