Dental anxiety is one of the most common reasons for people to avoid seeing a dentist regularly. The problem is, if you do not visit for long enough, dental problems can progress beyond the point of fixing. This puts you at a higher risk of other health problems.
Fortunately, some dentists know how to deal with patients with anxiety. You too can do things to help reduce your fear and feel better during a dental visit.
https://sunrise-dentistry.com/blog/dental-anxiety-9-ways-to-stop-your-fear-of-the-dentist/
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Dental Anxiety: 9 Ways to
Stop Your Fear of the
Dentist
B LOG | S UNR I S E D EN T I S T R Y
https://sunrise-dentistry.com/
Do you fear to visit a dentist? Perhaps
your kids are anxious too about dental
checkups? You are not alone. Dental
anxiety is extremely common. It has
been estimated that 9% to 15% of
people in the US are afraid of a dentist.
This prevents them from getting
proper dental care and the
consequences may go far beyond
dental problems. Gum disease is a
serious infection that can affect
general health. In fact, evidence
shows that it is associated with
diabetes, heart disease, and stroke.
Luckily, many dentists are highly-
trained in handling anxious patients.
Also, you can do several things to help
manage your anxiety.
What Are the Most Common
Causes of Dental Anxiety?
There are several reasons why people
have dental anxiety:
Pain
This is perhaps the most common
reason patients avoid visiting a
dentist. This normally stems from a
previous unpleasant experience or
negative stories.
Anesthetic Side Effects
Some people fear the potential side
effects of anesthesia like nausea
and dizziness. Others also do not
like the numbness effect or “fat lip”
associated with local anesthesia.
Feelings of Helplessness
It is understandable for people to feel
this emotion considering the
situation. During a dental procedure,
you sit in a chair with your mouth
wide open but unable to see what is
going on.
Embarrassment and Loss of
Personal Space
Not everyone is comfortable being
physically close to a dentist. One may
feel conscious about the appearance
of his or her teeth or possible mouth
odors.
Cost
Dental procedures can be expensive,
especially if you do not have
insurance to cover it. While regular
dental visits may help reduce the
need for more costly treatments,
others still worry about the possible
cost of a routine checkup.
Other Medical Conditions
Previous trauma to the head and
neck, agoraphobia, claustrophobia,
and obsessive-compulsive disorder
can make dental checkups more
difficult.
What Are the Signs and Symptoms
of Dental Anxiety?
Patients with dental anxiety often
present with the following signs
and symptoms:
Difficulty sleeping the night
before a dental exam
Excessive sweating
Increased heart rate
Palpitations
Low blood pressure
Syncope
Visible distress
Crying
Panic
Aggression to mask anxiety.
How to Manage Dental Anxiety?
Here are some helpful tips that may
help you overcome your fear of
visiting a dentist.
Go with Someone You Trust and
Who Does Not Fear Dental Visits
Ask someone you trust, a family
member or a friend, to accompany
you on your dental visit. If allowed,
you can ask them to sit near you
during the checkup or treatment.
Share Your Fears
If you are tense or anxious, tell your
dentist. Expressing your concerns
may help your dentist modify his or
her approaches and the treatment to
your needs.
Look for Distractions
Listen to your favorite music on
headphones. Some dental clinics even
have televisions or show DVDs.
You may also squeeze a stress ball or
play with a small handheld object like
a fidget spinner.
Imagination can work wonders too!
Visualize yourself at the beach or a
garden.
Try Relaxation Techniques
Controlled breathing can help slow
your heartbeat and relax your
muscles.
Take a big breath, hold it for a few
seconds, and let go very slowly.
Another technique is muscle
relaxation. You can tense and relax
different muscle groups alternately.
Watch Your Foods and Drinks
Do not consume any caffeinated
drinks before your appointment.
Consume more protein-rich foods
because they provide amino acids,
which the body converts into mood-
lifting and calming neurotransmitters
like serotonin.
Use Hand Signals
Remove your worries by discussing
hand signals with your dentist to
ensure easy communication. If you
feel uncomfortable with a procedure,
signal the dentist to ease off or stop.
Check Reviews
If you are looking for a dentist, it is
always better to ask people you trust
for recommendations. You may also
check reviews online. Positive reviews
can help reduce your anxiety.
Ask for A Dental Anxiety
Medication or Sedatives
A dental anxiety medication such as
anxiolytics may be given to help
patients relax. A single dose is often
taken one hour before the
appointment.
You may also ask your dentist if
sedatives are part of your dental
anxiety treatment options. Aside
from local anesthetics, others use
nitrous oxide, oral sedatives, and IV
sedation.
Be sure to have it administered by a
qualified dentist because oversedation
can be life-threatening.
See A Psychologist
If your fear is just too much, you
might want to consider seeing a
psychologist.
Discuss your dental anxiety concerns
with us here at Sunrise Dentistry.
Part of our holistic dentistry services
is the development of a treatment
plan to help put your fears to rest and
allow you to receive the dental care
and treatment you need and deserve.
Schedule an appointment now by
calling our office at (970) 247-3303.
dale@durangolive.net
EMAIL ADDRESS
(970) 247-3303
PHONE NUMBER
https://sunrise-dentistry.com/
CLICK BELOW TO VISIT SITE:
Contact
Details
Stop Your Fear of the
Dentist
B LOG | S UNR I S E D EN T I S T R Y
https://sunrise-dentistry.com/
Do you fear to visit a dentist? Perhaps
your kids are anxious too about dental
checkups? You are not alone. Dental
anxiety is extremely common. It has
been estimated that 9% to 15% of
people in the US are afraid of a dentist.
This prevents them from getting
proper dental care and the
consequences may go far beyond
dental problems. Gum disease is a
serious infection that can affect
general health. In fact, evidence
shows that it is associated with
diabetes, heart disease, and stroke.
Luckily, many dentists are highly-
trained in handling anxious patients.
Also, you can do several things to help
manage your anxiety.
What Are the Most Common
Causes of Dental Anxiety?
There are several reasons why people
have dental anxiety:
Pain
This is perhaps the most common
reason patients avoid visiting a
dentist. This normally stems from a
previous unpleasant experience or
negative stories.
Anesthetic Side Effects
Some people fear the potential side
effects of anesthesia like nausea
and dizziness. Others also do not
like the numbness effect or “fat lip”
associated with local anesthesia.
Feelings of Helplessness
It is understandable for people to feel
this emotion considering the
situation. During a dental procedure,
you sit in a chair with your mouth
wide open but unable to see what is
going on.
Embarrassment and Loss of
Personal Space
Not everyone is comfortable being
physically close to a dentist. One may
feel conscious about the appearance
of his or her teeth or possible mouth
odors.
Cost
Dental procedures can be expensive,
especially if you do not have
insurance to cover it. While regular
dental visits may help reduce the
need for more costly treatments,
others still worry about the possible
cost of a routine checkup.
Other Medical Conditions
Previous trauma to the head and
neck, agoraphobia, claustrophobia,
and obsessive-compulsive disorder
can make dental checkups more
difficult.
What Are the Signs and Symptoms
of Dental Anxiety?
Patients with dental anxiety often
present with the following signs
and symptoms:
Difficulty sleeping the night
before a dental exam
Excessive sweating
Increased heart rate
Palpitations
Low blood pressure
Syncope
Visible distress
Crying
Panic
Aggression to mask anxiety.
How to Manage Dental Anxiety?
Here are some helpful tips that may
help you overcome your fear of
visiting a dentist.
Go with Someone You Trust and
Who Does Not Fear Dental Visits
Ask someone you trust, a family
member or a friend, to accompany
you on your dental visit. If allowed,
you can ask them to sit near you
during the checkup or treatment.
Share Your Fears
If you are tense or anxious, tell your
dentist. Expressing your concerns
may help your dentist modify his or
her approaches and the treatment to
your needs.
Look for Distractions
Listen to your favorite music on
headphones. Some dental clinics even
have televisions or show DVDs.
You may also squeeze a stress ball or
play with a small handheld object like
a fidget spinner.
Imagination can work wonders too!
Visualize yourself at the beach or a
garden.
Try Relaxation Techniques
Controlled breathing can help slow
your heartbeat and relax your
muscles.
Take a big breath, hold it for a few
seconds, and let go very slowly.
Another technique is muscle
relaxation. You can tense and relax
different muscle groups alternately.
Watch Your Foods and Drinks
Do not consume any caffeinated
drinks before your appointment.
Consume more protein-rich foods
because they provide amino acids,
which the body converts into mood-
lifting and calming neurotransmitters
like serotonin.
Use Hand Signals
Remove your worries by discussing
hand signals with your dentist to
ensure easy communication. If you
feel uncomfortable with a procedure,
signal the dentist to ease off or stop.
Check Reviews
If you are looking for a dentist, it is
always better to ask people you trust
for recommendations. You may also
check reviews online. Positive reviews
can help reduce your anxiety.
Ask for A Dental Anxiety
Medication or Sedatives
A dental anxiety medication such as
anxiolytics may be given to help
patients relax. A single dose is often
taken one hour before the
appointment.
You may also ask your dentist if
sedatives are part of your dental
anxiety treatment options. Aside
from local anesthetics, others use
nitrous oxide, oral sedatives, and IV
sedation.
Be sure to have it administered by a
qualified dentist because oversedation
can be life-threatening.
See A Psychologist
If your fear is just too much, you
might want to consider seeing a
psychologist.
Discuss your dental anxiety concerns
with us here at Sunrise Dentistry.
Part of our holistic dentistry services
is the development of a treatment
plan to help put your fears to rest and
allow you to receive the dental care
and treatment you need and deserve.
Schedule an appointment now by
calling our office at (970) 247-3303.
dale@durangolive.net
EMAIL ADDRESS
(970) 247-3303
PHONE NUMBER
https://sunrise-dentistry.com/
CLICK BELOW TO VISIT SITE:
Contact
Details