Dental phobia is sometimes, inaccurately called dental anxiety. People who suffer from dental anxiety often feel increased stress during regular dental checkups as well as during dental procedures.
People suffering from a dental phobia are often overwhelmed by an unreasoning fear of visiting the dentist. As a result they often put off or and regular checkups and procedures, which can lead to serious problems.
On a cosmetic level, avoiding regular checkups increase the staining on teeth. This can be especially bad if you also have habits that make your teeth prone to staining such as tobacco use or drinking dark beverages like coffee and tea.
People who have dental phobia are at a greater risk for periodontal disease and tooth loss. Even with regular brushing and flossing teeth can develop tartar buildup. While regular brushing and flossing can remove a lot of plaque, you cannot remove tartar on your own at home.
Tartar that is allowed to build up for too long can cause the gums to pull back from the teeth. This allows bacteria access to the gum line, which can cause periodontal disease and bone loss in the bones that anchor the teeth in the mouth.
It’s important to keep in mind that dental phobia is a recognized psychological disorder with many different treatment options available.
If you have questions about dental phobia or you would like to schedule your next checkup, please call our office at 619-591-8945 to schedule an appointment. We look forward to seeing you again.
