Odontophobia is the fear or anxiety of dental procedures, and its spelling is derived from Greek roots. The "o" at the beginning is pronounced as the short "o" sound: /ɑːdɑntə(ʊ)ˈfəʊbiə/. The "d" is pronounced as a "d" sound: /ˈdɒntə(phobia)/. The "ph" is pronounced as an "f" sound: /ˌfəʊbiə/. The stress is on the second syllable, so the word is pronounced as /ɑːdɑntə(ʊ)ˈfəʊbiə/. Those who suffer from odontophobia may have trouble with dental hygiene, as fear of the dentist can prevent them from receiving necessary dental care.
Odontophobia is a noun that refers to the irrational fear or extreme anxiety associated with dental treatment or visiting the dentist. Also known as dental anxiety or dental phobia, odontophobia is a specific phobia that affects individuals of different ages and backgrounds. People with odontophobia may experience intense panic attacks, anxiety symptoms, or distress at the mere thought of seeing a dentist, undergoing dental procedures, or even being in a dental office.
Some common symptoms of odontophobia include increased heart rate, shallow breathing, sweating, feeling lightheaded, trembling, or even full-blown panic attacks. These symptoms can be triggered by different factors such as the sight or sounds of dental equipment, the anticipation of pain, the fear of injections or numbing, or even past traumatic dental experiences.
Odontophobia can have detrimental effects on an individual's oral health as fear may prevent regular dental check-ups and necessary treatments, leading to the worsening of dental conditions or the development of more serious oral health issues.
Several treatment options are available to manage odontophobia, including cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), relaxation techniques, desensitization, and conscious sedation. These methods aim to help individuals overcome their fear and gradually become more comfortable with dental procedures by addressing the underlying causes of the anxiety and providing coping strategies.
Overall, odontophobia is a fear of dental treatment that can significantly impact an individual's psychological well-being, oral health, and quality of life if left untreated.
A morbid fear excited by the sight of an animal's teeth.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The word odontophobia is a combination of two Greek words: odonto which means tooth and phobia which means fear or an irrational, extreme, or persistent fear. Therefore, the etymology of odontophobia is derived from Greek and it literally means fear of teeth.