For many people, dental anxiety is a common thing. Whether the anxiety stems from a bad experience, the fear of pain or embarrassment about the personal state of teeth and gums, this emotion can be detrimental to one’s overall oral health. Because of anxiety or fear, some patients may postpone making a dental appointment, even one for a cleaning and checkup, unless it is absolutely necessary. Others may completely avoid the dentist altogether, even when there is an obvious problem.
It is important to overcome dental anxiety and put oral health first, but this can be hard for some.
The following are some tips to help get over the nervousness and fear.
If dental issues are not dealt with in a timely manner, this can lead to major problems later. Focus on keeping teeth healthy and in great shape, and make an appointment to hopefully prevent hours of painful surgery years down the road.
Not all dentists are alike. Some patients may feel more comfortable with a dentist of a particular gender or age. Others may want to find a dentist who is experienced at calming patients with fears and anxiety. Do online research and ask friends for recommendations. Check out each one’s website to get a feel for the dentist as well as the office environment. Some may feel calmer and more comfortable than others.
Dentists understand that some patients do not enjoy dental visits, and their job is easier when the person in the chair feels comfortable. From the very beginning, communicate all apprehensions. The right dentist will make an effort to ease any fears and pick up on signals to take a break or switch tactics.
Having a companion come along to the appointment can make a big difference in someone’s attitude. For a patient who is very fearful, a sidekick can make sure they get in the car and make it to the appointment. A friend or family member can offer support as well as distractions to divert attention from certain unpleasant parts of a visit. Ideally, the buddy should be completely confident and comfortable in a dentist’s office.
Besides having a friend along, there are other distractions to help with dental anxiety. Bring headphones and listen to relaxing music, bring along a stress ball or play with another handheld gadget. Some offices, especially those that specialize in creating a calming environment, may provide videos to help distract patients.
In cases of severe anxiety or phobias, it may be a good idea to discuss the use of sedatives during the appointment. For less-invasive visits, nitrous oxide (laughing gas) may be all that is needed. For other procedures, options may include a local anesthetic, an IV or an oral sedation. Not all types are advised for everyone, so make sure to choose the option that is best for the situation.
Dental anxiety is common, but there are ways to manage it. Doing so is beneficial in that oral health becomes a priority.
Request an appointment here: https://austinprimarydental.com or call Austin Primary Dental at (512) 808-5651 for an appointment in our Austin office.
Check out what others are saying about our services on Yelp: Read our Yelp reviews.
Dental anxiety is relatively common in patients of all ages. While most people think that only children fear the dentist, many adult patients actually do too. Dental anxiety involves feelings of nervousness or fear, which are completely normal and manageable. The first step is to understand dental anxiety and its triggers, which can be helpful…
If you have any dental anxiety over a checkup, we can work to accommodate your needs and handle the anxiety.People who have dental anxiety will avoid visiting the dentist and increase the risk of infection. We can accommodate your needs to help deal with dental anxiety and provide you the necessary treatment.Dental AnxietyAt Austin Primary…
Whether you are scared of the dentist or need to undergo multiple dental procedures at once, sedation dentistry can play a major role in giving you a pleasant experience during the appointment. Sedation is available in different forms, from nitrous oxide to general anesthesia. However, if you have never experienced dental sedation at the dental…
Sedation dentistry helps individuals to overcome the fear of dentists. Dental anxiety affects many people and it often prevents them from getting treatments they need when problems develop in their mouths. However, most dental problems do not go away on their own. Treatment is needed to prevent the issue from getting worse, which can result…
The safest sedation dentistry option depends on factors like the patient’s medical history, current medications…
Dental restorative procedures like implant supported dentures can be a solution to partial or complete…
Signs that a filling needs to be replaced include the following.
Gum disease is caused by the same type of bacteria that cause tooth decay. It…
A smile makeover is a cosmetic process that alters the aesthetic of the smile without…
The right cosmetic dentist can improve your smile and dental function at the same time.