Anxiety-Free Dentistry
Anxiety Update: The Waiting Game
Perhaps you sometimes find yourself feeling uneasy about the prospect of sitting in my
chair. (Don't worry, I don't take it personally!) Well, the next time you're feeling that way,
remind yourself of this interesting tidbit:
U.S. researchers have located the human brain's "dread center," an area of the brain
responsible for feelings of foreboding. Brain scans show that neurons that generate the
feeling of anxiety lie within the same areas of the brain activated by pain.
How did they figure this out? Here comes the fun part! Researchers shocked the feet of
more than thirty courageous volunteers while simultaneously scanning their brains.
(Ouch!) Just be thankful you weren't asked to participate.
The study found that about a quarter of the group were "extreme dreaders" who were
more than willing to take a stronger jolt just to be done with the whole thing. It seems
that the dread of an experience can be more overwhelming than any pain or discomfort
actually associated with it.
Most dental procedures don't hurt, but the anxiety associated with them can be
extremely unpleasant. The anxiety could stem from a bad experience, a phobia, or even
from watching Little Shop of Horrors one too many times. No matter its cause, the
anticipation of things going wrong can be far worse than the actual experience
So try to remember this the next time you grimace at the sight of an appointment
reminder, a waiting room or a drill. The dread you're feeling is not proportional to the
experience you're facing. Just take a deep breath and remember that science agrees —
it really is all in your head.
If you're still feeling uneasy and want to find new methods for coping with your dental
phobia, call our friendly staff to schedule an appointment at (305)385-5555 or visit our website at ttp://www.BlochDentistry.com. We'd be happy to discuss your options. You may even be a candidate for sedation dentistry.
