For many people the thought of visiting a dentist causes paralyzing fear. Dental anxiety can prevent patients from getting the treatment they need. Postponing treatment can result in pain, helping to reinforce fear of the dentist as the pain becomes associated with the visit. We understand that for some of our patients coming to the dentist is a monumental task and we want to help. Have you found ways that help you cope? Share your personal needs with your dentist or hygienist so that they can accommodate you. We offer Nitrous Oxide gas to help you relax and can prescribe medication prior to your appointment that will lessen your anxiety. There is no shame in being afraid, we are here to help you get the treatment you need.

In addition we are proud to partner with Dr. Evan Peele, Mind Body therapist. She specializes in dental and medical therapy. A few short sessions can help to alleviate the underlying reasons for your fear.

Stress and Anxiety in Dental Health

Evan Peelle, PhD
Mind-Body Therapist: Specializing in Medical & Dental Hypnotherapy

248-437-7466 - Contact Evan by Email

What are stress and anxiety? Stress - really "distress" - is produced by the perception of a threat that leads to a defensive mental, physical and behavioral reaction. When the perception is inaccurate, and when the stress state is maintained over time without let-up, this can cause mental, physical and dental health problems. Anxiety is a specific form of stress - It is fear or apprehension about "bad" things happening in the future. Anxiety can be general and on-going or focused on something specific such as the dental experience.

What is dental anxiety? Dental anxiety is feeling so nervous or fearful about a visit to the dentist that it interferes with your dental care and health. It can occur as fear of pain, needles, the drill, etc.

How can anxiety affect my dental health? It can cause you to avoid going to the dentist when needed to treat current problems or prevent future problems. It can also cause you to have difficulty during a procedure, complicating it in various ways such as lengthening the time it takes, increasing the amount of anesthesia needed, causing unnecessary pain, or preventing you from completing the procedure

How can stress affect my dental health? Many people who experience dental anxiety also have a high general stress level. Many ailments are triggered or worsened by stress, a number of which can affect dental health. Chronic stress can lead to dental conditions such as jaw clenching and TMJ (tense jaw), teeth grinding and gum disease. It can trigger diabetes, which causes deterioration of gums among other things. Stress can encourage smoking, which discolors teeth and damages gums. It can also lead to poor diet which has a negative impact on dental health.

How does stress affect the experience of dental pain? Stress can induce or worsen all sorts of pain, including dental. It can cause muscle tension and constriction of blood and oxygen flow to an area, producing pain and hindering healing. It can also cause unwarranted pain, actual physical sensations of pain that seem real but have no physical cause or purpose. When repeated over time, pain - even when unwarranted - can become adopted by the mind-body as a habit, becoming chronic. The mind-body can learn to be hypersensitive and over-reactive, experiencing non-pain sensations such as touch or mild discomfort as painful. This can cause you to perceive dental conditions and procedures as unnecessarily painful.

What causes stress and dental anxiety? The root cause of stress and anxiety is negative, distressing belief, usually unconscious. These beliefs then lead to distressed emotions, body physiology and behavior. Dental anxiety is quite often based on factors beyond a bad dental experience. For example, a dentist may have spoken sternly to a child. The child perceives this as "yelling" and turns it into a life-long fear of dentists. This negative mindset can be changed to a positive mindset that allows you to relieve your own stress anxiety and pain, and to deal more easily with the dental experience.

How can I reduce stress and dental anxiety? Mind-body therapy can help you positively direct the way your mind affects your body and wellbeing. A variety of approaches are used including relaxation, imagery, breath work, cognitive therapy, emotional release, stress management, pain management, self-care education and hypnotherapy. Hypnotherapy is a very effective approach proven to relieve stress, pain and anxiety, including dental anxiety This approach is quick, gentle, safe, affordable and effective.

 What dental concerns can this approach address? It can help:

• Make dental procedures easier, reducing
  • Needle phobia
  • Need for anesthesia and pain medications
  • Pain, bleeding, swelling, bruising, scarring
  • Recovery time
• Alleviate a variety of dental problems including:
  • TMJ (tense jaw)
  • Teeth grinding
  • Gum deterioration
  • Discomfort with braces or dentures
• Promote prevention:
  • Quitting smoking
  • Self-care motivation and habits such as flossing

When is this approach useful in dental care? It can help when:

• Anxiety prevents you from visiting the dentist
• Anxiety makes it difficult or impossible to complete procedures
• Stress is causing dental problems
• Anesthesia is not a good option
• Pain medication does not work or is not a good option
• You use anti-anxiety drugs to prepare for a dental visit
• Your mind can help promote healing

Is this approach safe and effective?
Hypnotherapy is a fast, easy, non-invasive, safe and effective approach approved by the American Medical Association (AMA) since 1958. It is now being practiced in a number of hospitals, doctor's offices, and other medical and dental establishments.

Will I loose control?
Hypnotherapy helps you gain rather than loose control. You will gain control over the unconscious thoughts and emotions that drive you and learn to direct your mind where you want it to go. No one can control your mind, even with hypnosis. Your inner mind always remains aware and in control. It knows exactly what to do and takes good care of you. It will refuse any suggestion not in your best interests.

Does it work with everyone?
The research shows that 9 out of 10 people can be hypnotized. All you need to do is want this to work and trust yourself. With modern hypnosis techniques, you don't even need to be in a trance.

What about cost?
This is a very brief therapy, usually taking few sessions. I use a sliding scale, making it affordable for everyone. It can cut the costs dental care including time and expense of procedures, anesthesia and medication, etc.

To learn more about the treatment of Dental Anxiety listen to our interviews with Dr. Peele that aired June 20th and 27th on the Smile Files.