Feeling stressed? Your dentist can tell (2024)

FAQs

Can a dentist tell if you are stressed? ›

During routine dental examinations and cleanings, dentists can detect oral symptoms of stress, including orofacial pain, bruxism, temporomandibular disorders (TMJ), mouth sores and gum disease. If you're feeling tense or anxious, you should keep a watchful eye for signs of the following stress-related disorders.

Sedation clinics are used for nervous and anxious patients. They allow dentists to carry out necessary work without putting a fearful patient through too much stress. Sedation comes in 2 forms: inhalation sedation, which is done through a nose piece, like gas and air.

There are several ways that your dentist can help reduce your anxiety with medications through different levels of sedation. Your dentist may prescribe anti-anxiety drugs, such as diazepam (Valium), that you can take one hour before a scheduled dental visit.

Dentists are often able to recognize signs of anxiety in their patients. They may notice physical signs, such as dry mouth, sweating, trembling, or rapid breathing. Dentists also notice behavioral signs like nervousness, avoidance, or hesitation. Some patients openly share their concerns with the dentist.

Dentists are trained to look for signs of depression, but they are not mental health professionals. However, some telltale signs may indicate that a person is struggling with depression. For example, people who are depressed may have trouble taking care of their teeth. They may neglect to brush and floss regularly.

With oral conscious sedation, your dentist gives you sedative medication (usually in pill form) about an hour before your procedure begins. Most dentists use triazolam (Halcion®), which is in the diazepam (Valium®) family. But your dentist might use other medications, too, including zaleplon and lorazepam.

However, no good dentist will judge you on the state of your teeth. There are some very good reasons why that's the case; if you aren't convinced, here are just a few.

However, staying calm is the most important thing during dental procedures. It helps not only you but also the dentist to conduct the procedure without any hassle. Patients who get agitated easily while undergoing dental treatments can make the process complicated.

The most commonly prescribed dental related drugs that treat anxiety belong to the “benzodiazepine” family. Drugs such as Valium, Halcion, Xanax, or Ativan.

Is dental anxiety a mental illness? ›

Dental phobia is an extreme, persistent, and unrealistic fear or terror related to going to the dentist. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Health Disorders (DSM-V) recognizes dental phobia as a specific type of phobia.

Accept that people say silly things, that they come to you because they DO like and trust you, and don't take the silly comments personally. Try to work with patients, within their time and financial constraints to provide the best treatment you can.

The most common type of oral medication a dentist may prescribe is called a benzodiazepine, which includes Xanax, Ativan, Valium, Halcion, and others. Benzodiazepines help the brain dampen the sense of danger it interprets, which induces a more relaxed state for the patient.

Your dentist will be able to see signs of clenching and teeth grinding during your examination. If you already clench or grind your teeth when you're not stressed, this can make the habit worse. It can even begin to cause issues with your temporomandibular joint (TMJ), which is the jaw joint.

About 36% of people in the U.S. have a fear of dental treatment, with 12% having an extreme fear.

Experiencing stress can be the cause of many teeth, mouth, gum or jaw problems, but experiencing oral health problems can lead to more stress which then exacerbates the problems. It's therefore crucial to deal with the sources of stress in your life before they can have a chance to impact on your oral health.

Researchers believe that symptoms of these conditions can manifest in the mouth, making dentists key in diagnosing the diseases. For example: Bad breath and bleeding gums could be indicators of diabetes. Dental x-rays can show the first stages of bone loss and osteoporosis.

Your dentist will take a small mirror and a dental “explorer” to check each tooth for any health concerns. They will pay close attention to the strength of the outer layer of the teeth, called the enamel. Stress could cause dental problems like teeth grinding at night, nail biting, or chewing objects.

If your anxiety is preventing you from getting the care you need, you should have a frank discussion with your dentist about your fear. As health care professionals, dentists are trained to treat patients who have anxiety, and yours can suggest safe and comfortable techniques to make your dental care less stressful.