Tips To Ease Dental Fear

Dental anxiety and fear prevent many people from receiving necessary dental treatment. These fears are caused due to previous dental experiences, ranging from painful procedures to an unpleasant office atmosphere. Dental anxiety and fear are more prominent in children, with up to 80% of them feeling some anxiety before seeing a dentist. If you have dental anxiety, here are a few tips to ease them.

Discuss your fear with your dentist

The moment you sit in the dentist’s chair, you will get anxious and nervous. It would be better if you let your dentist know about your fear and apprehensions. Be honest with your dentist; if there are particular treatments that make you feel uneasy, you should tell your dentist about them. Then, your dentist can discuss every procedure with you and give you some tips to ease your fear. For example, if you are afraid of injections, your dentist can use topical anesthesia to numb the gum before the injection. Or, you can use headphones to listen to your favorite music during your dental treatment. Your dentist can also offer other options like nitrous oxide or oral conscious sedation to help you relax during the treatment.

Agree upon a signal that will let your dentist know when you’re uncomfortable

Agree on a specific gesture or word that will let your dentist know that you are uncomfortable. For instance, you can say “stop” if you feel any pain during the procedure. You can also raise your hand to let your dentist know to stop. This way, your dentist can better accommodate your needs.

Bring someone for support 

Ask a close friend or family member to be present during your dental treatment. Having support will give you peace of mind and make you feel more at ease. It will also decrease your levels of stress and anxiety associated with dental appointments. Focus on the positives of your appointment rather than your fear. Bringing a friend will also increase your likelihood of following through with the treatment plan.

Bring a distraction

Bring your phone with you so that you have something to fiddle with while waiting for your turn in the chair and during the procedure. You can also bring a book to read or a magazine to flip through while you wait.

Consider sedation

If all else fails, you can opt for sedation services like oral conscious sedation or IV sedation. Talk to your dentist about the types of sedation available and how you can choose one that best suits your needs. They will be able to address your concerns and help you decide whether or not you are a candidate for sedation treatments.

Get in touch with Arctic Smiles Orthodontics at 12020 E Shea Blvd Suite 10, Scottsdale, AZ 85259, or call (480) 614-2211 to schedule an appointment.