Dental anxiety is common amongst many patients, so if you’re reading this and you’ve experienced dental anxiety in the past, or continue to, you are not alone.
Whilst sedation dentistry is available at most dental practices, this may make you feel uncomfortable, and you’re hoping to seek alternative methods to help reduce your dental anxiety.
The dentist plays a vital role in this regard. When you visit the dentist for a check-up, you’re expecting some sort of support before and during your appointment to help you change your perception of what it’s like when visiting the dentist, and that there is nothing to fear!
Therefore, it is important to understand what the dentist can do for you if you’re suffering from dental anxiety and if you have an up and coming appointment.
Develop A Trusting Relationship
One of the most important things that anxious patients look for in choosing the right dentist is that will make them feel comfortable and relaxed. Therefore, developing a strong patient-to-dentist relationship is vital. The last thing a patient needs is to visit the dentist and not feel they can reciprocate their dental anxiety. As time goes on, working with your trusted dentist can help reduce dental anxiety in future appointments, meaning you’re more inclined to visit without feeling anxious.
Assessing Your Anxiety
Asking the right questions helps develop an understanding between the dentist and the patient. The dentist will seek to do this by asking the severity of your dental anxiety and what your fears are. For example, you may not like equipment touching your gums, or the simple thought of a dentist checking up on your teeth increases the anxiety. Understanding this makes it much easier for the dentist to work with you and help you.
Creating Distractions
One thing that has helped patients in the past is creating distractions during treatment. This could mean bringing a companion to give you support, or watching TV during treatment. Anything to divert your mind away from feeling when in the dental chair.
Remaining Positive
A dentist portraying negative vibes indicates a negative atmosphere for you as the patient when at the dentist. The dentist will always ensure a positive atmosphere from the moment you’re greeted upon arrival. Keeping the time positive will be felt by you as the patient as well.
Offer Sedation Dentistry
Sedation dentistry may not be for everyone, but the dentist can offer it should it help you feel consciously relaxed, and if other methods of support have not worked. Sedation dentistry helps you feel consciously relaxed, meaning you’re conscious but are numb to any sort of discomfort or feeling when the dentist goes to work on your teeth. Read up on its benefits here.
You can get started and prepare for your next appointment with the dentist by contacting our Coorparoo Dental team today, who will gladly make sure we cater to your needs all the time, every time. Click here to get in touch and share your concerns.
