How to Manage Your Anxiety about Going to the Dentist

Dental-Anxiety-300×199.jpg” alt=”Best Dentist Pasadena CA” width=”210″ height=”139″ />Did you know that roughly 40-million people avoid seeing a dentist because of fear and anxiety?

That’s millions of people who are letting their teeth go because they are scared of dental procedures, the effectiveness of localized anesthetic, or even the sterile smells in the office environment. And, some people are too anxious about leaving work or school during the day to visit the dentist.

Dental anxiety is a real concern, but an even bigger concern is that it can lead to unnecessary oral health problems, which can lead to more time spent in the dental chair for treatment.

My staff and I sympathize with patients who suffer from dental anxiety. That’s why we focus on good dentist-patient communication. Studies show that good communication is the most important factor in overcoming this type of fear.

We encourage all of our patients to have frank discussions with us before any treatment or cleaning has started. There are many safe and comfortable techniques available for making dental care more acceptable for anxious patients.

We also make every effort to establish trust with our patients so they know they are informed and IN CONTROL during their visit. We tell our anxious patients to use hand signals to communicate with us throughout a procedure. When a patient feels uncomfortable, he or she can signal us to stop the procedure. This method of communication empowers our patients and makes visiting the office less stressful.

Here are some other ways you can reduce your dental anxiety:

• Focus on breathing regularly and slowly during dental procedures. When you are nervous you may tend to hold your breath, which decreases oxygen levels and further increases feelings of panic.
• If the sound of the drill bothers you, bring a portable audio player and headset so you can listen to music.
• Try to choose a time for your dental visit when you’re less likely to be rushed or under pressure.
• If you are looking for a dentist, ask friends and relatives for recommendations. A good review about a dentist from someone you trust can significantly reduce anxiety.

Feeling uneasy about your upcoming dental visit? Schedule an appointment for just a meeting. We’d be happy to talk to you about our office, procedures – and show you around a bit. We’re here to help – always.