Anxious about facing a root canal? A 2019 survey by the American Association of Endodontists reported that more Americans surveyed feared having a root canal (59 percent) than feared holding a live snake in their lap (53 percent) or swimming with sharks (41 percent).
Root canal anxiety is a subset of a more general anxiety concerning dental treatment. Since delaying or avoiding root canal treatment can lead to natural tooth loss or abscessed teeth, it’s important to have a plan for confronting (and overcoming!) your fears.
We have five great tips to help you overcome root canal fears and set yourself up for success.
Tips To Overcome Anxiety About A Root Canal Treatment
- Accept that your anxiety is real. There are many reasons you may feel nervous. Perhaps you experienced pain with a dentist, or are embarrassed by your teeth. An abuse history may amplify your concerns. None of these conditions make you “bad.” They simply suggest you’ll benefit from extra support preparing for your root canal.
- Figure out which part of a root canal is most triggering. Try to break your root canal anxiety into smaller chunks. Are you afraid of having your mouth opened? Of having no control over the procedure? The sounds and smells? Once you know, share it with your personal support team – including your endodontist – so they can help you manage the fear.
- Try root canal anxiety-reduction techniques recommended by others. Dental Fear Central is a clearinghouse website filled with tips for dealing with dental anxiety and phobia. There’s a special FAQ section for anxiety related to root canals.
- Explore mindfulness meditation. Researchers at Harvard University have affirmed that meditation focusing on “being present” in the moment can reduce anxiety symptoms. Dr. Ron Siegel, assistant professor of psychology at Harvard, offers free, short guided mindfulness meditations on his website.
- Ask your endodontist about IV sedation. At the Phoenix Endodontic Group, we offer IV sedation as an option for root canals, emergency dental treatment and dental implant surgery. We find this can sometimes be the best option to support our patients’ comfort.
Never Fear – We Can Help With Your Root Canal Anxiety
Don’t let fear, myths about root canals, or prior experiences keep you from treatment. At our practice, we explain what to expect during and after treatment – and how we can work together for a stress-free experience. Call us at 602-242-4745 to schedule your appointment.