Can music be used to reduce anxiety and stress for people with toothache?

There are patients who do not dare to go to the dentist for their whole life because of fear of pain. There are babies who come to the dentist and cry, adults sweat because of "dental fear".

Music performance for people going to get dental treatment - new drug-free therapy introduced in Vietnam - Photo: BSCC

According to Professor Vo Truong Nhu Ngoc, Deputy Director of the Institute of Dental and Maxillofacial Training ( Hanoi Medical University) and President of the Pediatric Dentistry Branch (under the Vietnam Dental Association), this fear stems from childhood anxieties, the fear of breaking teeth, and the fear of sharp objects in dental instruments when visiting the dentist.

"Fifteen percent of adults and 30 percent of children experience 'dental anxiety.' Children often cry as soon as they sit in the dental chair, causing difficulties for both parents and dentists, resulting in delayed detection of oral health problems and more complicated treatment. If we can find ways to reduce anxiety and help patients feel safe, the effectiveness of treatment will significantly improve," shared Dr. Ngoc.

Therefore, Dr. Ngoc and her colleagues said they are piloting the use of music to reduce anxiety and stress for patients, through familiar, popular instrumental music performed live by guitarists and flutists during the patients' dental treatment.

According to Dr. Ngoc, in other countries, the use of music to reduce anxiety in patients has been applied in many places in obstetrics, oncology, and dentistry, but this is still new in Vietnam.

After a successful pilot phase, Mr. Ngoc said that in the clinical units he is in charge of, the use of music can take place every day and doctors consider this a unique experience that can bring a number of benefits:

- Patients can relax instead of feeling stressed while waiting.

- Children are more cooperative; instead of crying, many babies listen to and focus on the music, paying less attention to the trick.

- Adults feel at peace, helping to forget the feeling of anxiety before treatment.

- Healthcare workers are energized, the work atmosphere becomes more relaxed, and doctors find it easier to connect with patients.

Non-drug therapy

According to Dr. Ngoc, over the past decades, modern medicine has proven that music has a strong physiological and psychological impact on the human body, including:

- Physiological effects : When people listen to soothing melodies, the body reacts in a special way: the heart rate slows down, blood pressure stabilizes, and the parasympathetic nervous system is activated, helping the body relax as if in a state of deep rest. Cortisol levels (stress hormone) decrease, and the brain releases endorphins – neurotransmitters that create feelings of happiness.

- Psychological impact : Music evokes memories, nurtures emotions, and provides a sense of security.

In a 2024 meta-analysis of 61 studies involving over 6,100 children aged 4–16, music was found to be the best way to reduce anxiety during dental procedures, followed by scent.

RED RIVER

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/co-the-dung-am-nhac-giam-lo-lang-stress-cho-nguoi-dau-rang-20250907144640437.htm