Overcoming Dental Anxiety
Dental anxiety is a common problem, but there are ways to manage it so you can visit your dentist regularly for routine checkups. With a little bit of preparation, you can overcome (or at least reduce) your dental anxiety. In this blog, we discuss some of the reasons for dental anxiety and tips for managing it to ensure your teeth stay healthy and strong.
What Is Dentophobia?
You’ve probably heard of acrophobia (fear of heights) and arachnophobia (fear of spiders), but have you heard of dentophobia? People with dentophobia are afraid of dentists. They may feel anxiety when physically in a dentist’s office or simply at the thought of visiting the dentist. About one-third of people in the U.S. have dentophobia, which typically makes them avoid going in for regular dental checkups. Some of the things people fear about going to the dentist include:
- Needles
- Pain
- Choking
- Blood
- Needles
- Sounds and smells associated with dental work
Some people also have anxiety about the dentist as a person, primarily because they’ve had a bad experience in the past. However, as bad as your fear of the dentist may be, good dental hygiene and regular visits to the dentist are crucial not only to the health of your mouth but to your overall health. Below, we offer some ideas for overcoming or calming your dental anxiety.
Finding the Right Dentist
Just like with any medical professional, it’s important to find a dentist who makes you feel comfortable and secure. Ideally, you visit the dentist at least twice a year, so it’s essential that you find one that puts you at ease. Ask friends for recommendations, look for top-rated dentists online, and learn more about your chosen dentist through research and visiting their website. The more you know about their skills and experience, the easier it will be to trust that you’re in good hands.
In some cases, once you meet your dentist, you may decide that they’re not a good fit for you. Maybe you felt as if you were hurried along, or they didn’t take your anxiety seriously. Perhaps they failed to answer your questions, or maybe you just didn’t feel a connection. That’s ok—there are no rules that say you have to continue seeing a dentist just because you went once. It may seem like a hassle, but when you’re dealing with dental anxiety, putting in the effort to find a great dentist is worth it in the long run.
Practicing Relaxation Techniques
Dealing with dental anxiety is like dealing with most types of anxiety. There are many ways to find a “zen” state before your appointment, including meditation, deep breathing, visualization, and relaxing stretches. Some people may find that bringing a family member or friend along for support can also help. Arriving early to your appointment can give you time to center yourself and familiarize yourself with the environment.
Utilizing Sedation Dentistry
While around 36% of people have some degree of dentophobia, up to 12% suffer from extreme fear of the dentist. For those people (and anyone who needs it), sedation dentistry is an excellent option. At Royal Dental Care, we offer three types of sedation dentistry to ensure you are as comfortable as possible during your appointment. Our sedation dentistry options include:
- Oral Conscious Sedation: We will give you a prescription for anti-anxiety medication to take before your appointment. You will be relaxed but awake.
- IV Sedation: With IV sedation, you’re awake but extremely relaxed. The IV allows your dentist to adjust the medication being administered to ensure that you’re totally comfortable at all times.
- General Anesthesia: For those patients with extreme dental anxiety, we offer general anesthesia so that you are asleep during the entire procedure.
Learn More About Sedation Dentistry at Royal Dental Care
If you suffer from dental anxiety or dentophobia, it’s nothing to be ashamed of. Many people struggle with fears about going to the dentist, and that’s why Royal Dental Care offers sedation dentistry. Our dentists are not only trained and experienced but also compassionate and want to ensure that your experience in our office is as anxiety-free as possible.
To schedule an appointment or discover what type of sedation dentistry would benefit you the most, call our office today at (773) 232-3929 (Norridge) or (847) 999-7620 (Schaumburg) or complete the online contact form.