Overcoming Dental Anxiety & Fear
Dental anxiety and fear are real and often prevent people from getting the necessary treatment they need to stop decay or impending tooth loss. If you have dental anxiety, our Canton, MI, dentists at Hometown Dental can help you work through your fear so that you can maintain a beautiful healthy smile.
Here’s what you need to know so you can make each experience in the dental chair a comfortable one.
What Is Dental Anxiety?
There are a variety of reasons behind . Some recall a bad appointment they had in their childhood. Others simply fear pain, judgment, needles, or not being in control of the situation. Whatever the cause is, it can feel like it’s here to stay. The first step to overcoming it is to identify where it comes from.
You may have dental anxiety if you:
- Have trouble sleeping the night before your appointment
- Feel increasingly nervous or on edge when sitting in the waiting room
- Cry or feel sick when you think about visiting the dentist
- Experience uneasiness when tools or objects are placed in your mouth during an oral examination
- Put off treatment even though you need a procedure done
While dental anxiety is not as intense as a , it can still interfere with regular teeth cleanings and much needed treatment.
Ease Your Anxious Feelings By:
Being Open & Honest
Start a conversation with our dentists about any anxiety or fear that prevents you from getting the care you need. We are dedicated to helping you maintain good oral health and are willing to work with you to find a solution so that you can feel comfortable in the dentist’s chair.
For example, our sedation dentists can give you laughing gas during your next appointment to help you feel more relaxed. If your stems from a fear of losing control, talking with our dentists beforehand about treatment options like dental implant surgery or a root canal procedure can help you feel more empowered. Knowing more of what will come next and how the visit will go can give you a stronger sense of confidence and control.
Read More → Root Canals Explained: Top 5 Questions Answered
You may also ask our dentists to explain each step of any given procedure so you can better mentally prepare yourself before it happens. It’ll also be easier for our dentists to provide personalized dental care when they understand how you feel. For some patients, the anxiety can start days before the actual appointment so it’s a good idea to get the conversation going sooner than later.
Escaping With Music
No, not actually escaping our Canton, MI, dental office. We recommend wearing your headphones while you sit in the exam chair. One thing you can try is to listen to a station, album, or playlist you haven’t heard before. If the songs are new to you, you’re more likely to be distracted from what our dental hygienists and dentists are doing.
The music can also be enough to drown out the sound of dental drills or the high-powered toothbrushes used during a dental cleaning (which can sound like drills). Experiencing a dental emergency and having to receive treatment can also be stressful so music is a great way to put your mind at ease and unwind a bit.
Considering Laughing Gas
If your dental anxiety and/or fear is significant enough, you may want to ask our dentists about sedation dentistry. The goal of dental sedation is to help patients feel relaxed and comfortable in the dentist’s chair so they can get the treatment they need.
As mentioned above, our dental practice offers laughing gas. This low-level sedation is safe for both adults and children and wears off quickly so you can drive yourself home. If you decide to go with laughing gas, you will be completely awake and aware during the procedure, just more relaxed.
Speak With Our Friendly Staff Today
Put your newfound knowledge into practice. Our goal at Hometown Dental is to help our patients feel confident and at ease when they come in and leave our office. If you are interested in scheduling an appointment for a dental exam or professional teeth cleaning, give our dentists in Canton, MI, a call (734) 667-4941 or contact us online today!
This blog post has been updated.