Fear of dentist – Symptoms and Causes
Fear of dentist! is called dentophobia. It is a form of specific phobia, the fear of a specific object or situation. People who have this fear may avoid dental care and treatment because of their fear. They may also avoid going to the dentist altogether. People who have dentophobia can also have odontophobia. They may have anxiety while in the dentist’s office or thinking about going to the dentist. Sometimes, they have anxiety both in the dental setting and when thinking about the appointment. Most people with dentophobia know that the fear is unreasonable or that the likelihood of a dentist visit is improbable. However, they cannot control their body’s reaction to fear.
Symptoms of Dentophobia
Dentophobia, also known as odontophobia, is a specific phobia characterized by the fear of dentists and anything related to a dental visit. It is a common fear, especially among people who have had a bad experience with a dentist. It can stem from a past negative experience, such as a painful experience with a dentist. It can also be a fear of the unknown because you don’t know what to expect. Some people are afraid of the dentist because they don’t want to hear bad news, such as a cavity or a severe dental problem. Other people fear going to the dentist because they want to avoid the pain, fear of loss of control, or a fear of being judged. Usually, dentophobia is caused by these factors rather than one alone.
Causes of Dentophobia
The leading causes of dentophobia are negative experiences in the past, bad oral hygiene, and a family history of dental anxiety. Some people are born with a tendency to develop dental phobia. It is not clear why this happens, but it might be that they inherited this trait from their parents. People with a family history of dental anxiety are more likely to develop dentophobia.
What to do if you have Dentophobia
If you have dentophobia or a fear of the dentist, you are in good company. Millions of people worldwide are afraid of the dentist, and it is one of the most common fears in the world. Dentophobia is a common fear, but it doesn’t have to control your life. With the right help, you can get over your fear and enjoy a worry-free dentist visit.
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