¿Qué es la dentofobia? (Más consejos para aliviar los síntomas)

Millions of people in the United States have dentophobia. Many of them put off scheduling appointments or avoid visits altogether. If you’re like them, just thinking of a dental procedure makes you lightheaded and nervous. The good news is that you don’t have to feel this way. While overcoming a fear of the dentist may seem daunting, it’s possible.

¿Qué es la dentofobia?

La dentofobia es un miedo abrumador e irracional a la odontología, que puede incluir clínicas dentales, dentistas o tratamientos dentales. Puede tener esta fobia si teme procedimientos necesarios como endodoncias o si una revisión rutinaria le provoca pánico. Aunque a poca gente le gusta que le saquen un diente o le pongan una corona, sentir una ansiedad incontrolable es atípico.

¿Es lo mismo la dentofobia que la ansiedad dental? Si tiene ansiedad, siente un nivel de miedo o preocupación por la odontología superior a la media. Sin embargo, acude a las citas y se somete a los tratamientos necesarios. En cambio, si padece dentofobia, es posible que ni siquiera pueda poner un pie en la clínica sin sufrir un ataque de pánico.

Las visitas al dentista suelen ser breves. Sin embargo, aunque la media el examen de rutina dura 10 minutos — and even complex procedures take about 1.5 hours at most — you may still be afraid of going. 

However concerning these feelings may be, they’re not uncommon. If the thought of getting your teeth worked on makes your palms clammy and your heart race, you’re not alone. Around 36% de personas en Estados Unidos experience dental anxiety, with 12% categorizing their fear as extreme. Some people can’t even bring themselves to schedule an appointment.

¿Cuáles son los síntomas de la dentofobia?

Dentophobia causes uncontrollable anxiety. You may have strong reactions when nearing or thinking of dentists’ offices. If you can help it, you go to great lengths to avoid entering a clinic or undergoing treatment. You might experience panic attacks or breakdowns after exposure to the source of your aversion.

Esta fobia suele manifestarse fisiológicamente. Puede sentirse mareado, sin aliento o con náuseas. También son frecuentes la sudoración excesiva, el aumento de la tensión arterial, la pérdida de apetito, las palpitaciones, el temblor de manos o la aceleración del corazón.

Typical behavioral responses include crying, yelling and swearing. If you’re exposed to the source of your fear, you may find yourself unusually angry, sad or fearful. These intense, sudden mood swings are the result of a chemical reaction. A trigger prompts your brain to release hormones, prompting a strong emotional response.

Aunque su experiencia es única y personal, otras personas en su situación suelen experimentan síntomas similares a los trastornos de ansiedadEn la mayoría de los casos, el paciente tiene problemas para conciliar el sueño la noche anterior a la cita o una sensación de fatalidad inminente. Esto se manifiesta a menudo evitando por completo las visitas. Superar el miedo al dentista es esencial para mantener la salud dental.

Cómo saber si tienes dentofobia

Not all physiological and behavioral responses are indicative of a phobia. Is it normal to cry at the dentist? If you’re about to undergo a major procedure or are sensitive to pain, feeling some level of anxiety is natural. However, if those feelings are powerful and persist outside of the appointment’s immediate time frame, you may have dentophobia.

Puede desarrollar dentofobia si:

• Tuviste una experiencia traumática. Los traumas pueden desencadenar involuntariamente reacciones emocionales, fisiológicas y psicológicas.

• Lo tiene un familiar. Usted tienen tres veces más probabilidades desarrollar una fobia si uno de sus familiares directos la padece.

• Tienes otras afecciones. Una fobia como la claustrofobia o un trastorno como la ansiedad generalizada pueden aumentar las probabilidades de desarrollar aversión al dentista.

• Eres sensible al dolor. Tener los dientes extremadamente sensibles o una baja tolerancia al dolor puede hacer que incluso las revisiones más rutinarias parezcan imposibles.

Dental appointments are invasive and uncomfortable. It’s understandable if you dislike keeping your mouth open while someone in scrubs and a headlamp pokes around. However, an aversion morphing into fear is concerning. While some anxiety is natural, your feelings shouldn’t keep you from seeking care. Fortunately, overcoming a fear of the dentist is possible.

Adaptaciones que debe pedir a su dentista

Speaking with a dentist may seem daunting when you have dentophobia, but it’s the best course of action to help you work past trauma and manage your phobia. Once you find someone you trust, consider asking for accommodations like a therapy animal or calming music. Many professionals will be more than happy to work with you.

Pide a tu dentista que te explique el procedimiento en un lenguaje fácil de entender. Saber lo que van a hacer y por qué tienen que hacerlo puede aliviar algunas de sus preocupaciones. Saber exactamente qué esperar puede incluso evitar que se catastrofice.

If you feel confident enough to begin but are worried you’ll get overwhelmed partway through, agree on a hand signal with your dentist to use when you need a break. This way, they’ll know to pause their work and give you a moment to calm down. Remember, overcoming your fear of the dentist won’t be like flicking a switch —- it will take time.

It’s okay if you feel like you can’t handle dental treatment emotionally or psychologically — you still have options. Moderate sedation slightly depresses your central nervous system, leaving you awake but calm. For example, nitrous oxide — laughing gas — is a colorless, odorless gas that gives you a feeling of euphoria. It can help you manage the worst of your symptoms.

Ways to ease your phobia’s symptoms

Ease yourself into tackling your phobia’s symptoms by starting small. You should brush twice daily — once in the morning and once at night. If you want to brush more often, remember to espere al menos 30 minutos después de comer para que el esmalte tenga tiempo de remineralizarse. Este enfoque reduce su necesidad de visitar al dentista, lo que puede ayudar a aliviar su miedo.

Aunque el consejo general que los profesionales dan a visitar dos veces al dentista yearly is a good rule of thumb, it’s not set in stone. If you care for your teeth by brushing, flossing and avoiding damaging habits, you may not need to go as often. Positively reinforcing yourself with rewards or affirmations along the way can help you view dental care in a better light.

Do you have someone in your life who knows your triggers and can help you when you’re overcoming your fear of the dentist? Bring them to the dental clinic. Having a support person in the room gives you a sense of control over the situation and can make you feel more at ease.

If you want to address your symptoms head-on, exposure therapy is an excellent long-term solution. By gradually exposing yourself to your phobia while in a safe environment, you recondition yourself. Your synapses — the connections in your brain — can change over time in response to new activity, thanks to an ability called synaptic plasticity.

During exposure therapy, you’ll begin by talking about the dentist. Once you feel ready, you may look at pictures of dentists. Incremental progression may involve listening to dental instruments, visiting a clinic, asking about a procedure or sitting in the waiting room. Over time, you’ll feel ready to tackle bigger things until you overcome your fear.

Superar el miedo al dentista es posible

While overcoming your fear of the dentist can feel daunting, it’s possible. Remember to be forgiving — the road to recovery isn’t always paved. Experience the occasional setback is normal. As long as you keep trying, you will eventually ease your symptoms and be able to walk into a dentist’s clinic without fear.