Fear of the dentist can lead to avoiding regular checkups, which are critical for your overall oral health. There are multiple ways to deal with dental anxiety, finding a solution can promote more visits and ease your fear. Dental terror can stem from many aspects, such as:
- Fear that the dentist will be painful
- Fear of needles
- Fear of loud noises such as the drill
- Nervous to have someone working inside your mouth
- Embarrassment due to lack of oral care
No matter the fear, dental care is critical to your overall health and regular appointments are essential.
Results Of Dental Avoidance
Staying on top of your regular appointment can help you avoid serious problems that may develop. Regular visits can catch issues before they require a costly solution. Things that can happen if you avoid the dentist include:
- Cavities
- Bad Breath
- Buildup of plaque or tartar
- Tooth loss
- Infected teeth
- Discolored teeth
- Gum disease
Catching these problems early can help you avoid costly treatments. Some of these issues can further develop and affect your overall health; even though you may have dental anxiety there are ways to deal with it, helping you avoid the development of these issues.
Dental Anxiety Tips
Many people have some form of dental anxiety, but these phobias are possible to overcome. Before visiting the dentist, tell your clinic about your fears and anxiety, and they can find ways to make your treatment more relaxing.
Choose A Technical Clinic
Sometimes, if there are distractions around, it can pull you from your anxiety. Try choosing a clinic that has televisions, music or even provides a blanket. These small pieces of technology can pull your attention from what is happening during your treatment.
Bring A Friend
Sometimes, having a loved one present can reduce your anxiety. Bring a friend or family member to wait for you while you are receiving your treatment.
Don’t Arrive Extra Early
Arriving too early to your appointment can worsen your anxiety, giving you more time to build up your fear of the treatment ahead. Try arriving right before your appointment and bring a magazine to distract you while you wait.
Ask Your Dentist About Sedation Options
Before your visit, ask your dentist about sedation options. With the developed technology in dentistry today there are pain free options to get you through your treatment.
Ask A Lot Of Questions
Asking questions throughout the treatment can ease your anxiety. Knowing what they are doing and ensuring that nothing bad is happening can help you relax.
Take Breaks
Whenever you need a break, you can ask. Your dental team wants you to feel comfortable in the chair, so taking a moment can help ease your anxiety.
There are many methods you can use to deal with dental anxiety, but avoiding your appointments all together can lead to bigger health issues. It is best to find the problem eary, before it develops into a costly treatment. Before your appointment, let your dentist know about your fears and anxiety. They want you to feel comfortable throughout your appointment and can suggest ways to relax. Visit Dentistry Thirty Two to book your next appointment, and let us know if you experience any dental anxiety, we are here to help.