Are you feeling anxious about visiting your dentist? You are not alone.
Have you been putting off that dental visit for a while? Dental anxiety is a common fear, but we’re here to put your mind at ease.
It’s common for people to feel anxiety just thinking about making their dental appointment, leading up to the day of, and even once they climb into the dentist’s chair.
We’re here to put your mind at ease and reassure you that we will do everything possible to make sure your visit is a good experience for you.
Many people who feel afraid to go to the dentist haven’t done so for years because of their paralyzing fear. This continues to reinforce those negative feelings you have, making you feel even more convinced that it would be a bad experience. Some common reasons to feel this fear are:
- Fear of the unknown. You feel unsure as to what the dentist will need to do and how it will be done.
- Fear of pain. Naturally, none of us would look forward to that!
- Loss of control. It’s hard to see what’s going on when you’re in the dentist’s chair.
- Past experience. These negative memories can stay with us for years.
- Embarrassment. Many feel very self-conscious about a dentist being so up-close and personal.
We have several tips that will help you fight your fear and feel calm, cool, and collected about your dental appointment.
- Be assertive about your needs. Tell us that you’d like to be walked through the entire process before your visit. Ask to come in and look around before your appointment!
- Bring a friend or family member along to your appointment who will make you feel relaxed and comfortable.
- Discuss a ‘stop sign’ with the doctor—for example, when you raise a hand during the visit, it means you need to take a breather. This is your visit and we want you to be able to take a pause if needed.
- Pick an appointment time early in the morning, so you don’t have the whole day to dwell on it.
- Remind yourself that you’re not alone in these feelings. Many people are apprehensive about going to the dentist.
- Practice some healthy relaxation techniques. Envision your whole visit being a great success, from start to finish. Do some deep breathing from those first moments of anxiety, all the way until you’re in the dentist’s chair.
- Consider visiting a psychologist to talk about your fears and sort through them.
Remember that dentistry has come a long way in recent years, and that your comfort is our first concern. Studies show that patients who expected to feel pain or discomfort while visiting their dentist actually experienced far less than they’d originally thought. We would like to help you have that same experience!
