Got Dental Fear? We Can Help

Dental anxiety is the fear of visiting the dentist and experiencing the pain associated with dental procedures. Dental anxiety can keep people from visiting the dentist or undergoing necessary treatments. Dental anxiety can stem from a bad dental experience in the past or from hearing frightening stories about dental procedures. Even the thought of going to the dentist can cause extreme anxiety.

Speak up about your fears

Many patients avoid going to the dentist for fear of pain. You can alleviate the fear and anxiety by discussing your issues with your dentist. A reputable dentist will be able to ease the discomfort during your appointment by providing safe numbing and ensuring the procedures are quick and gentle. Avoid feeling embarrassed about having fears because many people experience these same feelings. Most importantly, dentists are there to help their patients feel comfortable. Some of the ways they can help include:

• Maintaining a caring and compassionate bedside manner;
• Providing relaxing amenities during your visit to the dentist’s office;
• Explaining in detail all procedures being performed during the appointment;
• Recommending nitrous oxide as an anesthetic option during dental procedures.

With these tips in mind, you should feel more confident in seeing a dentist for your next cleaning, teeth whitening, or other procedure. Be sure to ask any additional questions you have before your next visit.

Agree on a signal

Before your appointment begins, discuss a signal with your dentist to let him know when you are starting to feel anxious or uncomfortable. This signal could be raising your hand, tapping your foot, or using a hand motion to indicate discomfort. Knowing this signal in advance gives your dentist a chance to help ease your nerves using comfort techniques.

If you start to feel anxious during your appointment, raise your arm and let your dental team know you would like them to stop for a moment and pause what you’re doing. You might ask them to cover your mouth with a mask so you can take a moment to take some deep breaths and relax.

Take a trusted person with you

It’s perfectly normal to feel nervous or anxious before a dental appointment. If you suffer from dental anxiety, you may want to bring someone you trust as support during your appointment. Ask your dentist if it’s okay to bring a friend or family member to your visit and sit in the waiting room with you until it’s time for your exam. Having someone else present to help calm your nerves is great, but avoid bringing children since they’re likely to run around the room and make noise.

Bring distractions

Distractions are your friend. While in the waiting room at the dentist’s office, bring something to keep you busy. You could bring a magazine to read or a tablet where you can play games. Keep yourself preoccupied so that you aren’t thinking about what the dentist is going to find in your mouth. It’s common for patients who get anxious at the thought of going to the dentist to also feel nauseous. If you start to feel sick, practice taking deep breaths to help calm yourself down.

Ask for dental sedation

Reaching out to a dentist who offers sedation dentistry is another great option for those who are nervous about their dental care needs. Sedation greatly relaxes patients with mild-to-moderate anxiety and helps to subdue those with more severe anxiety.

For general dental treatments, ask about options for sedative medications to take before your appointment to keep you calmer throughout your visit. Some dentists offer nitrous oxide gas as a sedative, and others use a medication that is taken orally 30 to one hour prior to your visit. Talk to your dentist to learn more about which type of sedation is right for you.

To learn more, please reach out to our dental practice in Cypress, TX, and have a consultation with our Dentist. Call us at (832) 353-3600 or schedule an online appointment, and we'll guide you further.