Top Tips to Beat Dental Anxiety

We have worked with hundreds of nervous patients over the years, so have a good understanding of what can help to make visiting the dental practice a more pleasant experience.

If you are a nervous patient and wondering how you can make a trip to the dentist a little less daunting, we’re here to help. With our support, you will soon be walking into your appointments with complete confidence. Read on to learn our top tips for tackling your dental anxiety and taking back control.

What causes dental anxiety?

There are lots of reasons you might be afraid of the dentist. In general, our patients report one of the following reasons as the cause of their phobia.

A bad experience as a child or more recently. Just one bad experience at the dentist can make it more daunting to return. Bad experiences could include painful procedures or a run in with a rude dentist who hasn’t understood your needs.

Fear of a loss of control. When you visit the dentist, you are handing over control and putting yourself in what feels like a vulnerable position. This can cause individuals to develop a phobia as a form of protection.

Fear of judgement. If you haven’t been to the dentist for a long time or if you have poor oral health, it can make it more difficult to seek help as you might be concerned about your dentist judging you.

Fear of unusual sounds or sensations. With so many tools in use, it can feel overwhelming to sit back and just relax in this situation. Added to this the numb sensation that makes everything feel strange, and it’s easy to see why this can cause you to develop a phobia.

Fear of needles. This is a very common phobia that can make it difficult to seek out treatment.

What is the best way to tackle a fear of the dentist?

If you want to get your dental phobia under control, there are a few things you can try. You don’t have to know the cause of your fear, although this might help. If it’s something like a fear of a loss of control, then your dentist can help you by keeping you in the loop about what is happening. However, there are some more general techniques that can be used to help you get over a fear of the dentist.

Breathing and Relaxation

When we are faced with a challenge or something we are afraid that our body produces chemicals which can make us more anxious. By consciously focusing on relaxation techniques such as deep breathing and visualisation you can teach your body to relax as it is not possible to be anxious and relaxed at the same time. Alongside breathing exercises, you can distract yourself during a dental appointment by listening to relaxing music. This will help you to stop focusing on the sounds and sensations.

Hypnosis

Hypnosis can provide a way of relaxing where you concentrate on suggestions of relaxation given by the hypnotist. You will remain awake and totally in control but will feel as though you are daydreaming.

Dental Sedation

Dental sedation is administered via an injection in your hand. You will become drowsy and will be unaware of what is going on around you, but you will still be able to follow commands and co-operate with the dentist. It takes some time for the sedative effect to wear off and you will need to take things easy for 24 hours following treatment.

Sedatives

Your dentist or doctor may be able to provide you with a sedative you can take prior to attending for your dental appointment. This will help to relieve some of your anxiety and make the visit more tolerable.

Longer appointment times

Something as simple as a longer appointment can help you to work through your phobia. Everything will happen at your pace, so you can stop and ask for clarification, or just take a break from the procedure for a moment.

Why it’s important to tackle your phobia

Tackling your phobia of the dentist is important, as it means that you’ll be able to access dental care when you need it. Those with a fear of the dentist are more likely to avoid treatment, which could cause small issues to become much more serious. For example, a simple cavity that needs a filling could be ignored, until it becomes an abscess that requires a root canal.

If you have children, it’s also important that you take your fear of the dentist seriously. The last thing you want is to pass on your fear of the dentist to your children. Young people will pick up on your anxiety and your change in mood and this can be distressing for them. Eventually, they will equate a visit to the dentist with stress without ever understanding why.

Final thoughts on dental phobias

If you are at all anxious or worried about undergoing treatment do not hesitate to discuss the options with your dentist. If you would like to find out more about dental sedation, call Benfleet Dental Centre on 01702 557766 and one of the team will be happy to assist you.