Going to the dentist can make people very anxious no matter their age. Maybe you or a family member is apprehensive about their next dental visit? Well, here’s some good news- you’re not alone. More than 10% of Americans have either delayed or canceled an upcoming appointment due to dental anxiety. In other words, they would rather deal with negative health consequences and potential dental issues than simply visiting their dentist.
It is common for many people to be scared or anxious when it comes to going to the dentist. No one wants this, as it can lead to long breaks in between visits and cause more problems with your oral care. So how do we combat this? Luckily there are ways to lessen or even eliminate dental anxiety. Medication is just one option. Sometimes, the best “medicine” is taking control of your environment and communicating openly with your dentist.
Thanks to our patient-friendly approach and experienced staff, Dr. Zorro can help patients everywhere overcome their anxiety to get the oral health care services they need. Sometimes, your anxiety and apprehension just need a little extra attention.
Here are some tips on how to Reduce Dental Anxiety:
Like most problems that we face, overcoming dental anxiety starts with a sensible and practical plan. Try these dental anxiety tips, and you’ll be surprised at how your fears will lessen – or even disappear!
- Talk to your dentist. Tell your dentist what makes you uncomfortable. From dental anxiety medication to music to non-invasive approaches, there are plenty of things your dentist can do to reduce your dental anxiety. Ask questions. Engage with your dentist. Keep those lines of communication open. Just like with other fears, dental anxiety thrives with ignorance and misunderstanding.
- Silence (or music) is golden. From earplugs to your favorite music, not hearing those dental tools whirling and whizzing away is a great way to block out the fear associated with dental chair phobia.
- Create comfortable surroundings. Many of our patients request the chair tilted a certain way for extra support, or other comforting props. It’s hard to block out dental anxiety when you’re already uncomfortable.
- Try visualization techniques. Think positive, and good things will result. It’s an old adage, but it’s been around forever for a reason…it works. Get in the right frame of mind before your upcoming appointment. Stay focused on all the good things that will result from your dental visit – cleaner and whiter teeth, better overall health, and much more.
Don’t be afraid, give us a call today so we can not only help you with your oral care, but also help you with your dental care anxiety. Come in to Smiles for Health so we can assess your teeth and help you get ahead of your dental care. Also ask us about our tooth whitening treatment!
