Anna Novinger Asst. Some patients have endured frightening, painful incidents at the dentist's office as children. People may avoid trips to the dentist because they perceive such visits as being too costly, too time-consuming or unnecessary. This is not an anxiety or a phobia.
Dental anxiety can develop into a phobia, which can be more life-limiting than anxiety.
Phobias are specific, overwhelming fears that limit a person's ability to perform important life tasks. Whether it be a fear of dentists or snakes, phobias prevent the display of appropriate, rational behavior. Someone who suffers from dental anxiety or phobias finds it hard even to make the first phone call. Anxiety attacks, which are characterized by physical symptoms, such as an increased heart rate, rapid breathing and feelings of faintness, are associated with anxiety disorders. However, they may be quelled through individual or group participation in therapy focused on relaxation and desensitization techniques.