While most patients might find going to the dentist a not-so-pleasant experience but still manageable, there´re other patients for who the sole idea might cause severe discomfort.
Patients being anxious to see the dentist is the leading cause of delaying (or downright avoiding) dental treatments.
Sure, dental anxiety is common (about 9-20% of patients have it). Nevertheless, avoiding treatment might worsen your dental condition, thus requiring more complex (and expensive) dental procedures.
If you´ve ever felt anxious to see the dentist, we think you should read this. Here are some tips to make you comfortable when receiving the dental care you need.
Dental Anxiety, How to Cope?
Dental anxiety triggers are many and vary from one person to another. Perhaps you´re afraid of needles or had a previous traumatic dentist experience.
Whatever the case, it´s critical you learn to identify what fears you might have. More importantly, openly share them with your dentist.
Among the most common causes of dental anxiety, we could mention:
- Fear of pain
Usually stems from previous unpleasant/painful dentist experiences or other patients´ stories. It´s perhaps the most common reason for dental anxiety.
- Fear of needles and fear of anesthetic shots side effects
Maybe you´re afraid of having a needle inserted into your mouth. Or beyond this, you might be terrified an anesthetic won´t be enough, and the procedure might be painful.
- Panic at the sound of the drill
Another common (and understandable) cause of dental anxiety. Derived from a fear of helplessness and loss of personal space when the dentist uses said tool inside your mouth.
- Fear of your dental condition
You might also experience an intense discomfort or embarrassment at the thought that maybe, you haven´t been properly caring for your teeth.
Additionally, said concerns can trigger episodes so severe that, for some patients, dental anxiety becomes a type of phobia known as Odontophobia.
Luckily, there´re many simple ways to ease yourself when you´re feeling anxious to see the dentist.
Bring a friend
Having the support of a friend or family can help you relax and feel safer during your dental checkup.
So, if you´re feeling dental anxiety, make sure you ask one of your loved ones to join you for your next appointment.
Arrive early (but not too soon)
You might be in no rush to get to the dentist´s office. However, arriving early to your appointment can help make it less stressful.
While in the waiting room, you can distract yourself by reading a magazine. But overall, talking to the staff is a surefire way to ease yourself.
Relaxation techniques/medication
Some people cope with anxiety by practising meditation, exercise, or deep, controlled breathing techniques. Nonetheless, there´re instances where simple relaxation techniques are not enough.
If you have severe anxiety episodes, your dentist might deem it necessary to administer nitrous gas, diazepam, or any other sedative medication.
Talk to your dentist.
We can´t stress this enough. A good dentist/patient rapport is critical for doing a better job. So, to ease dental anxiety, talking to your dentist is mandatory.
Ask your dental professional to explain each stage of the procedure. Also, discussing all your concerns beforehand is the best way to prepare yourself for dental treatment mentally.
Establish a signal
Raising a hand (or any other pre-accorded signal) could be a perfect way to communicate with your dentist throughout the procedure.
Using this signal informs your dentist if you´re feeling uncomfortable. It´ll also let them know if you need to rinse your mouth or simply catch your breath.
Finally, feel free to contact us and schedule an appointment. Our team will gladly guide you through a complete journey towards achieving and maintaining a beautiful, healthy smile.
