Feelings of anxiety about seeing the dentist is something that affects a large majority of people. You may be especially interested in a beautiful smile makeover, or you may want to – once and for all – create a habit in which you stay ahead of dental problems with routine care; and yet, fear keeps you from your goals. Here, we will take a look at some of the common sources of dental anxiety, and what you can do about them.
- The unknown. The unknown sounds like an abyss in which anything could happen. This is frightening! Something to remember about dentistry, though, is that there are only so many problems your dentist may alert you to during your routine exam. The more regimented you can be about your follow-up in our office, the less chance there is that you will hear any bad news at all about your oral health.
- Unsettling sounds and sights. Were you to hear the sound of a dental drill in a different scenario, not one pertaining to your mouth, chances are the noise would not seem unpleasant. For some patients, the sharp appearance of dental instruments is the source of fear. Each of these can be addressed. Many patients find relief with noise-cancelling headphones and their favorite music. In some cases, close observation of instruments, and discussion about how they are used, can settle the nerves.
- Fear of gagging. No one likes to gag, let alone gag in front of other people! A strong gag reflex is one of the most common reasons we hear from patients that they dislike seeing the dentist. There are ways around this. Mindful breathing through the nose is one. If this is difficult, patients may consider using nasal strips or spray to open the passages for air flow.
- The need for numbing medication via injections can keep some people from getting the restorative care they need. One of the ways to mitigate this fear is to maintain regular six-month visits. This is one of the best ways to prevent dental conditions that require repair, which enables you to avoid the need for anesthetic injections altogether.
Patients of Beverly Hills dentist Dr. Frey can also discuss our use of sedation dentistry techniques to make their visits more comfortable and pleasant. Call 310-276-4537.
DID YOU KNOW THAT THE MAJORITY OF US experience SOME level of dental anxiety? As much as 80%, in fact. Despite our best efforts we know that there’s something that feels inherently vulnerable about lying back in a chair while we examine your mouth. We’ve been patients too.
Communication Can Make You More Comfortable
We want you to feel comfortable and confident during your visits with us. We believe that one key is open communication between our team and you—our valued patient! Whether you’re extremely nervous during dental appointments, or just slightly uncomfortable, communication helps. However, it’s hard to know exactly how, or what, to communicate sometimes.
If you’d really like to explore the reasons you feel nervous about dental visits, here’s a handy questionnaire developed by J.H. Clarke and S. Rustvold at the Oregon Health Sciences University School of Dentistry. If you’d like, look over the first four questions and let us know where you fall on the scale. It’s a simple way to tell us how you’re feeling.
Simple Understanding Can Make A Huge Difference
Once we understand a little bit about your triggers and your reaction to dental-related situations, we can do a lot to make you feel comfortable. Some techniques we use include:
- Taking adequate time so you don’t feel rushed or harried.
- Carefully explaining everything before we do it.
- Establishing signals so that you can let us know if you need a break.
Do you know someone else who suffers from severe dental anxiety? Is it compromising their health? Have them give us a call. We can help.
Thanks For Your Trust In Our Practice!
Breaking The Dental Anxiety Cycle
According to a new study, by the University of Madrid, children most often look to their fathers when gauging potentially stressful situations. It appears that if a father is nervous about dental visits, his children pick up on his cues (no surprise there)—even unintentional ones—and may follow suit.
The findings include you too, mom. The International Journal of Pediatric Dentistry confirms that the higher the level of dental anxiety in any family member, the higher the level in the rest of the family. Other studies show that women more often demonstrate positive habits and attitudes towards dentistry—so it may be up to you to set the good example!
Your Comfort Is Our Highest Priority
The “old days” of dentistry are long gone. Modern dentistry makes visiting the dentist a comfortable experience. Here at our practice, we take your comfort very seriously. Here are a couple of additional ideas:
- You’re always welcome to bring a friend or family member. Whatever your age, sometimes it’s nice to have a friendly face with you if you’re anxious.
- Distract yourself. Do you have some favorite songs on your phone or MP3 player? What about a handheld game you enjoy? Bring it along! Our team will do everything we can to accommodate you.
- Talk to us! One of the best ways to overcome anxiety is to talk about it. We are always happy to explain what we’re doing. And we’re happy to take breaks when and if you need them.
Helping Us Know You Better Makes A Difference Too!
Lots of things are uncomfortable when they’re new, or outside your routine. We want you to feel at home in our practice, so help us get to know you better. One of the best ways is through our social media channels—especially on our Facebook page. Connect with us there and leave a comment or Like. You can also direct message us there. We’re listening.
Do you have a recommendation for overcoming dental anxiety? Something that’s worked for you? We’d love to hear about it! Leave a comment below!