All You Need To Learn About Overcoming Dental Anxiety

Dental anxiety is quite common, and it affects millions of people. It’s often caused by fear of pain, embarrassment, or embarrassment of being judged. Here are a few tips that will help ease dental anxiety.

Understand The Reason For Your Anxiety

The best way to overcome anxiety is to understand the cause behind it in the first place. The more you know about what’s making you nervous, the better you’ll be at combating it. So let’s take a look at some of the most common causes of dental anxiety and what you can do about them.

• Fear of pain – While needles can be uncomfortable and downright scary for some people, modern dentistry has come a long way in relieving discomfort and pain associated with dental treatments. New tools and techniques make treatments more effective and comfortable than ever. This often alleviates fear quickly.
• Fear of the dental drill – Though this is sometimes necessary for treating decay or performing other procedures, the dental drill itself doesn’t have to be a scary thing. We offer patients the option of sedation dentistry when they need extensive treatments that require the use of a drill. Sedation relaxes you to the point where you won’t even remember your procedure.
• Unfamiliarity with the dentist – Seeing a new dentist for the first time can be intimidating, but you shouldn’t feel uncomfortable at our office. Your visit will start with a tour so that you can get to know the space and get to know our team. By the time you actually sit in your chair, you’ll feel much more at ease.

Don’t Expect Too Much From Your First Appointment

You shouldn’t expect much from your first appointment, especially if you’ve had a lot of bad dental experiences in the past. It’s an opportunity to get on the other side of your anxiety and establish a relationship with your dentist that will result in better dental care down the road. If you go into your appointment expecting too much, you’re bound to be disappointed.

As you prepare to go to the dentist, it’s important to be realistic about what your visit will be like. Take a moment to think about the kinds of dental treatments you want and tell your dental office about them during your initial call. Although it’s okay to ask questions, don’t show up and expect everything to be taken care of in one day. Instead, focus on building trust with your dentist.

Bring a Buddy Along

If the thought of getting dental work done is enough to make you cancel an appointment, consider bringing a friend along to help you stay relaxed and calm throughout the process. Your friend can talk to you throughout the appointment to help distract you from thinking about any discomfort you might feel from the treatment. With someone to talk to and take your mind off of your procedure, you can look forward to experiencing a more comfortable time at the dental office. Stubborn fears are no match for the soothing presence of a friend!

Choose Your Sedation Plan Carefully

There are many sedation options available at your dentist’s office, and it can be overwhelming trying to decide which one might be best for you. The first step is to schedule a consultation with your dentist to discuss any fears or concerns you might have, as well as what type of procedure you’ll be undergoing. A sedative dentist will listen to your concerns and recommend the plan that best fits your needs. Here are some things to keep in mind when choosing a sedative plan:

• Nitrous oxide gas can deliver an almost immediate relaxation effect and wears off very quickly after the procedure is completed. This is a great option for patients who need a quick, temporary fix for their anxiety.
• Oral conscious sedation involves taking a pill about an hour before your appointment to induce a moderate state of drowsiness and relaxation. You can remain awake during your procedure, but you’ll feel very calm and relaxed. Many patients feel groggy for the rest of the day after taking oral sedation, so it’s best to schedule it for a later afternoon appointment when you’ll need the afternoon to recover at home.
• IV sedation dentistry is a bit different because it involves putting an IV catheter into a patient’s arm to deliver a carefully measured dose of medication directly into the bloodstream. This level of sedation offers the most profound relaxation and pain relief possible, although it’s also the most expensive option. It’s ideal for patients who are especially fearful of the dentist and need a high level of comfort during procedures. 

A visit to your dentist in National City, CA, is the perfect way to start the new year off right! Call M.Hirota, DMD, at (619) 474-4695 today to schedule your next appointment or make your next new patient appointment online. We look forward to helping you achieve a healthier, happier smile!