Dental Phobias: Causes, Diagnosis, and Treatment
Some people are extremely fearful, terrified and panic-stricken of dentists or any dental procedure. This is known as dental, phobia, odontophobia, dentophobia or even dentist anxiety. It is estimated that about 9% to 15% of the general population have this intense, unfounded and unreasonable fear of dentists.
Such people feel or in extreme cases fall physically sick when they have to get an appointment with the dentist. Some do not sleep the day before the appointment while others have trouble breathing when the dentist puts any dental instrument in their mouths. Consequently, people with dental phobia avoid all forms of regular dental checkups while others get lost to dental follow-ups. In the extreme cases, some people never visit the dentist at all.
Puerto Vallarta Dentistry: Consequences of Dental Anxiety
A majority of people with dental anxiety put up with gum diseases, pain or even broken and unsightly teeth only to save themselves the agony of visiting the dentist.
Such conditions normally result in uneasiness during speech or laughing, that the victims only open mouth slightly. Their social lives deteriorate as their self-esteem nose-dives. Feeding also becomes a problem, ending up with malnutrition and lower immunity. General body health deteriorates and the result is low productivity.
What Causes Dental Phobia?
Dental phobia is caused by a myriad of factors, which can be either direct or indirect.
Direct causes mainly emanate from a previous uneventful experience with the dentist. Such include oral trauma during a dental procedure, difficult root or failure of anesthesia resulting intense pain. It may also be a result of an unpleasant experience during a general hospital visit, which instilled fear to the patient of any hospital-related procedure, white coat or antiseptic smells. An encounter with the aggressive, cold and uncaring dentist may make the patient develop a phobia.
Indirect causes of dental phobias are several include helplessness and a feeling of lack of control. Most people fear the loss of control during the dental procedure. Some fear they may lose the function of the mouth after the application of anesthesia. The third category feels their teeth are so damaged that there is no hope for them to be treated.
Misconception and myths are also a great cause of dental phobia. Some patients develop an intense fear of dentists from vivid and horrifying stories they hear from other people in the society. Satirical presentations of dentists by cartoons and social media rumors have served to intensify fear amongst people. The negative effects of the 1932 comedy film negatively portraying the dentist are still raw to this day
Diagnosis and Treatment of Dental Phobia
Dental phobias are diagnosed using a fear measurement dental scale called the Corah's Dental Anxiety Scale. Another scale, the Modified Dental Anxiety Scale can also be used. Dental phobia is a serious condition and needs to be treated. Collaboration between the dentist and a mental health specialist would help greatly to help you manage the fear. Treatment involves a combination of pharmacological, such as anxiety-relieving medications and behavioral techniques.
Why Puerto Vallarta Dentistry Is Ideal for Anxious Patients
If you've been avoiding the dentist due to anxiety, esthetic dentistry in Puerto Vallarta offers a welcoming and affordable path to healing. Dental clinics in Puerto Vallarta are known for their warm, compassionate care, which caters specifically to patients with dental anxiety. From gentle communication to sedation dentistry options, local professionals understand the psychological burden and aim to ease it.
Whether you're considering braces, veneers, or all-on-4 dental implants in Mexico, clinics in Puerto Vallarta provide world-class care at significantly lower prices than in the U.S. or Canada.
● Wondering how much do braces cost in Mexico?
In Puerto Vallarta, prices can be up to 70% lower than North American rates.
Your new smile starts here. In Puerto Vallarta, we offer ceramic braces starting at $1,500 USD and metal braces at prices that suit you. Quiality, trust and personalized attention at the best price.
● Curious about veneers cost in Mexico?
Esthetic dentistry clinics offer packages that combine savings with luxury recovery environments.
In Puerto Vallarta, dental veneers start at $450 USD and are customized to your needs. Learn how this treatment can give you a new reason to smile.
These options make Puerto Vallarta dental tourism a compelling choice not just for affordability, but also for comfort, quality and peace of mind.
Puerto Vallarta Dentistry
Even if a dental clinic doesn't formally label itself as "holistic," many top-rated practitioners in Puerto Vallarta naturally apply these principles in their everyday care. To find the right fit:
