Meeting at the dentist: How to find out if you are afraid or phobic

Oral health is widely regarded as one of the most important aspects of our overall health. However, fear of the dentist is perhaps just as prevalent. This common fear can stem from a number of emotions related to oral health concerns, as well as from possible bad experiences you may have experienced.

But for some people, such fears can come in the form of dentophobia (otherwise called odontophobia). Like other phobias, this is defined as an extreme or irrational fear of objects, situations or people - in this case, dentophobia is the extreme fear of going to the dentist.

Given the importance of oral care for your overall health, the fear of the dentist should not keep you away from regular checkups and cleanings.

Frika vs Phobia

Fears and phobias are often discussed in the same way, but these two conditions have some noticeable differences between them. A fear can be a strong dislike that can cause avoidance.

On the other hand, phobia is a much stronger form of fear. Phobias are considered a type of anxiety disorder and are known to cause extreme anxiety and avoidance - so much so that they interfere with daily life. Another characteristic of phobia is that it is not something that is likely to cause you harm in reality, but the opposite is thought.

Being intimidated by the dentist may mean that you do not like to go and choose to postpone appointments until necessary. You may not like the feel and sound of the equipment used during cleaning and other procedures, but you endure them anyway.

In comparison, dentophobia can present a fear so severe that you completely avoid the dentist. Even the mere mention or thought of the dentist can cause anxiety. Nightmares and panic attacks can also occur.

If you believe that your fear is not common but is a phobia, you should seek treatment, which may be a combination of therapies and / or medications.

Sources: Health, WebMD