prevalence of dental anxiety Dental anxiety is one of the most common phobias in the world. It is estimated that about 10-20% of people suffer from some form of dental anxiety. This fear can occur at any age, but it often starts in childhood. There are several reasons for dental anxiety, including: - **Past negative experiences:** Previous negative experiences in the dental office, such as pain or discomfort, can lead to anxiety in the future.... - **Fear of pain:** Many people fear pain and this fear can turn into dental anxiety.... - **Fear of lack of control:** Some people fear losing control during dental treatment... or the appearance of other dental tools and equipment can be scary... - **Fear of Needles:** Fear of injections can exacerbate dental anxiety.... - **Social anxiety:** People with social anxiety may feel uncomfortable being exposed to others in the dental office... Symptoms of dental anxiety Symptoms of dental anxiety can include the following: - **Physical symptoms:** sweating, trembling, heart palpitations, shortness of breath, nausea, dizziness, muscle pain - **Emotional symptoms:** fear, anxiety, panic, anger, sadness - **Behavioral symptoms:** Avoiding going to the dentist, postponing appointments, canceling appointments, restlessness during dental treatment... effects of dental anxiety Dental anxiety can have significant negative effects on a person's life... This fear can lead to: Avoiding dental care: Fear of the dentist can lead to avoiding dental care, which can lead to serious oral and dental health problems.. Dentistry in general can reduce people's quality of life... Overcoming dental anxiety The good news is that there are many ways to overcome dental anxiety. Some effective methods include: - **Choosing the right dentist:** It is very important to choose a dentist who is empathetic and patient with you and pays attention to your anxiety... - **Using relaxation techniques:** Before and during the dental visit, practice relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, meditation or yoga. give a signal to stop....this could be raising your hand or saying a certain word.... **Consider anti-anxiety medication** If your anxiety is severe, the dentist may prescribe anti-anxiety medication before the visit. **Start gradually** If you haven't been to the dentist in a while, start with a simple checkup and gradually progress to more complex treatments.... **Use the bonus** Give yourself a reward after every successful dental visit....it could be anything from enjoying your favorite food or going to the movies.... **go with a friend or family member** Ask a friend or family member to accompany you to the dentist. Their presence can provide comfort and support.. **Talk about your fear** Talking about your fear of the dentist with a friend, family member, or therapist can help you understand and manage your anxiety. **Remember you are not alone** Millions of people around the world suffer from dental anxiety.... You are not alone and there are ways to overcome this fear and get the dental care you need... Dental Anxiety Medicine Dental anxiety, also known as Dentophobia, is also common in children. This fear can make dental examinations and treatments an unpleasant and difficult experience for them. Fortunately, there are various ways to overcome dental anxiety in children, including the use of medication. - **Anti-anxiety drugs:** These drugs, also known as benzodiazepines, can temporarily reduce the child's anxiety and tension. Some of the common anti-anxiety drugs for children's dentistry are: - **Diazepam (Valium):** This drug is usually given orally to the child 30 minutes before the dental procedure.... - **Lorazepam (Ativan):** This drug is also taken orally 30 minutes before the procedure.... - **Midazolam (Veracid):** This drug can be administered orally or intravenously.. such as **Fluoxetine (Prozac)** or **Sertraline (Zoloft)** may be used to help reduce dental anxiety in children.. These drugs usually need to be taken regularly a few weeks before the procedure... to show their effect.... - **Nitrous oxide gas (laughing gas):** This harmless gas that can make a child feel relaxed and inhaled.. Reduces anxiety... Nitrous oxide gas is often used together with anti-anxiety drugs or pain relievers.. Choosing the best medicine for dental anxiety in children It depends on various factors such as the intensity of anxiety, the child's age, medical history and other medications that the child takes... **Important points:** - **Do not start taking medicine without a doctor's prescription.** - **Tell your child's dentist all the information about your child's health and the medications he is taking.** - **Ask your pediatric dentist about the possible side effects of medications.** - **Give the medicines to your child exactly according to the doctor's instructions.** - **If you are breastfeeding, consult your pediatric dentist before taking any medication.** **Other solutions to overcome dental anxiety in children:** In addition to medication, there are other ways to overcome dental anxiety in children, including: - **Choosing the right pediatric dentist:** It is very important to choose a dentist who is patient and kind with children and communicates well with them... Use relaxation such as deep breathing or meditation.... - **Distract your child:** Help distract your child from the treatment during the visit... read to him, play with him, or play your favorite movie after watching any of his favorite hit movies and TV shows.... - - **Empathize with your child:** Tell your child that you know he may be afraid of the dentist and reassure him that you will be there for him.... **Additional considerations:** - In some cases, other methods such as **hypnosis** or **cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)** may be used instead of medication to overcome dental anxiety in children... - **Parental cooperation is very important.** Parents should cooperate with the pediatric dentist in all stages of treatment, including the selection of medication and his preparation during the child's visit and the preparation of the doctor..Fear of the dentist in children Fear of the dentist, which is also known as **dentophobia**, is also common in children.... This fear can make dental examinations and treatments an unpleasant and difficult experience for them, and as a result, endanger their oral and dental health.... In this article, we examine the causes, symptoms and ways to overcome the fear of dentistry in children... - **Previous negative experiences:** Previous negative experiences in the dental office, such as pain or Anxiety can lead to anxiety in the future... - **Fear of the unknown:** Children may be afraid of things they don't know ** Losing dental tools... Anxiety: ** Children with social anxiety may feel uncomfortable being exposed to others in the dental office... - **Prone to parental anxiety:** If parents are afraid of the dentist, this fear can also be passed on to the child... Symptoms Dental phobia in children - **Crying and screaming:** Children may cry and scream before, during or after the dental visit.... - **Stubbornness and refusal to visit the dentist:** Children may be stubborn and refuse to visit the dentist... - **Appearance of physical symptoms such as sweating, tremors and physical symptoms of children such as heart palpitations, heart palpitations in children:* Heart palpitations during a dental visit... - **Restlessness and lack of concentration:** Children may be restless and not focused during a dental visit... - **Panic attacks:** In severe cases, children may have panic attacks in the dental office... **Effects of fear of the dentist in children** Fear of the dentist in children can have significant negative effects on their oral and dental health and life. This fear can lead to the following: - **Avoiding dental care:** Fear of the dentist can lead to avoiding dental care, which can lead to serious oral and dental health problems such as tooth decay, infection, and gum disease.... - **Problems at school:** Dental anxiety can lead to absenteeism from school... Quality of life: ** Dentistry can generally affect a child's quality of life... **Overcoming dental fear in children** The good news is that there are many ways to overcome fear of the dentist in children. Some effective methods include: - **CHOOSING THE RIGHT PEDIATRIC DENTIST:** It is very important to choose a dentist who is patient, kind and communicates well with children... use relaxation such as deep breathing or meditation.... - ** DISTRACT THE CHILD:** During the visit, help your child to distract him from the treatment... read to him, play with him, or play a favorite movie... Dental anxiety in children is a common problem that can make dental examinations and treatments an unpleasant experience.. But there are various ways to overcome this fear and help children to have healthy teeth and a beautiful smile.. **Dentophobia** can create many challenges for people, especially those who suffer from anxiety... Your expertise, patience and empathy will turn this fear into peace.... And among these angels, the name of **Dr. Elham Tavaklian** as **the best The dentist shines for the anxious**..... Why ma'am... Dr. Tavaklian? Several reasons make Dr. Tavaklian an ideal choice for anxious children: - **Expertise and experience:** With several years of brilliant experience in the field of dentistry, especially pediatric dentistry, they have high knowledge and skill in diagnosing and treating all kinds of oral and dental diseases... - **Empathy and patience:** Dr. Tavaklian knows very well what suffering it brings to patients, because patients themselves listen to their questions due to dental anxiety. Tavaklian is designed with a warm and intimate atmosphere in a way that minimizes the anxiety and depression of patients.... The use of soft light, soothing music and beautiful decoration all help to create a sense of relaxation in patients... - **Anxiety management techniques:** Dr. Tavaklian has completely mastered various anxiety management techniques - visual methods of anxiety management, including using them during deep breathing.... **Painless treatment methods:** As much as possible, non-invasive treatment methods They use pain and minimal invasiveness so as not to create an unpleasant experience for their patients.. Perhaps the best reason for choosing Dr. Tavaklian is the positive and satisfactory comments of his patients.... Just visit his virtual pages or website to see the flood of positive and grateful comments.. Anxiety has teeth, this is the time to say goodbye to this fear... Create a relaxing and pleasant dental experience for you and your beloved child.** Ways of communication with Dr. Tavaklian - **Address:** \[Tehran, Jordan, Africa Blvd, above Jahan Mozad intersection, Pednar St., Shahroz Doctors Building, second floor, unit 24\] - **Contact number:** \[02188886330\] - **website:** \[dreltavakolian.ir\] - **Instagram:** \[dr.elham.tavakolian@\] **Resources:** - https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/children-and-young-adults/advice-for-parents/anxiety-in-children/ - https://www.aapd.org/ - https://www.mayoclinic.org/departments-centers/psychiatry/services/pediatric-anxiety-disorders-clinic - http://rbs.mui.ac.ir/browse.php?a\_id=711&sid=1&slc\_lang=fa **Hopefully for a beautiful smile without anxiety!**