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 - a new drug-free therapy introduced in Vietnam - Photo: BSCC

According to Prof. Dr. Vo Truong Nhu Ngoc, deputy director of the Institute of Dentistry Training ( Hanoi Medical University) and president of the Pediatric Dentistry Association (under the Vietnam Dentistry Association), this fear stems from anxiety during adolescence, fear of broken teeth, and fear when going to the dentist because dental instruments have many sharp objects.

"15% of adults and 30% of children experience "dental fear". Children often cry as soon as they sit in the dental chair, causing difficulties for both parents and doctors, resulting in late detection of oral diseases and more complicated treatment. If we can find a way to reduce anxiety and help patients feel safe, the effectiveness of treatment will improve significantly" - Dr. Ngoc shared.

That is why Dr. Ngoc and his 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 flute players while patients are undergoing dental treatment.

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

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 being stressed waiting.

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

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

- Medical staff are energized, the working atmosphere becomes lighter, and doctors can easily connect with patients.

Non-drug therapy

According to Dr. Ngoc, over the past decades modern medicine has proven that music has strong physiological and psychological effects 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 is more stable, the parasympathetic nervous system is activated, helping the body relax like a state of deep rest. The concentration of cortisol (stress hormone) decreases, the brain secretes endorphins - neurotransmitters that create a feeling of happiness.

- Psychological impact : Music evokes memories, nurtures emotions and brings 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