Many people are affected by dental anxiety. They may suffer through serious oral pain as they put off going to the dentist and having their dental problem taken care of. This can mean that serious conditions, such as loose teeth, broken teeth, periodontal disease and even infections can go for years and not receive the necessary treatment. Without regular check-ups, you are likely missing out on effective preventative care. That may cost you in pain and expensive treatments later.
You may not realize how serious proper dental care is. Medical researchers have linked oral health to severe medical conditions affecting the heart and the rest of the body.
Because we know that dental anxiety is real and is a definite concern for many people, we want to make sure you understand the variety of tools and methods we dentists employ to assist you in confronting your fears. We want to make sure that you can receive the treatment you need and be able to enjoy a happy and healthy smile.

Tons of people have anxiety about visiting the dentist. This anxiety can be quite mild or it can grow to the level of a phobia. Your anxiety doesn’t need to embarrass you, though. There are many reasons why you may have such trepidation.
Perhaps you had some bad experiences with a dentist before or maybe you fear the loss of control or the way a dentist has to be right in your personal space to do their work. Patients have told us every one of these when mentioning reasons they fear going to the dentist. However, just getting to the dentist’s office is a first big step, and it is one you should be proud of.

Talk It Out-
If you just communicate with your dentist, you two can work together to conquer your anxiety. Just let our dentist know if he is doing something that bothers you. Your dentist should be someone you see in a non-threatening way.
Choose the Right Environment-
If the dentist’s office is clean and quiet, it can make a huge difference in the way you feel. If the dentist you go to see has a cluttered office with lots of dental work being done nearby, it can ratchet up your anxiety levels. Search out a dentist with a calm office and perhaps one that uses soothing background music to distract you from your tension.

Acclimation Is Important-
One of the keys to feeling comfortable at the dentist is a sense that you have adjusted to the environment. It may help to visit the dentist ahead of your appointment just to get a feel for the office and meet the dentist. This can help to alleviate your fears and make you feel more at ease.

Sedation May Help as Well-
There are some sedatives you may be able to use before the dental work to calm your nerves. Talk to your dentist about this approach before you try to self-medicate, though.
Happy gas can help as well, and your dentist may recommend this be administered once the dental work begins. It will get rid of any sensation of pain and help you to feel at ease during your visit.

Anaesthesia Is an Option-
An IV anaesthesia may work as well, slowing down your responses and helping you to relax. If your dentist uses this method, he will give you just enough to keep you barely awake though the whole process. This would have to be administered by an anaesthetist, however.

We want to help you feel at ease, and if you notice any signs before your appointment date that you may be on edge or might be experiencing a phobia, then let us know. We will work with you to accommodate your needs in whatever way we can.

If you have ever suffered from dental phobia, then you should know that you are in good hands with our team. Schedule an appointment with us and we will discuss with you the options we have available to make your visit as comfortable as possible.