Many people are scared of the dentist. So, you are not alone. If you have cavities or pain however, you need to overcome that fear and take care of your teeth and your health. Here are some guidelines to help you face your fear of dentist and get the care you need.
1. Recognize Your Fears as Normal
No, going to the dentist isn’t usually fun, although we do everything we can to insure you are comfortable. We provide headphones to block noise, play movies or music to relax and distract you. Some fears however, come from a “bad” dental visit when you were a child. Sometimes, parents or caregivers will unintentionally pass their fears on to their children as well. Recognizing you aren’t the only one who is scared can be helpful.
2. Find the Right Dentist that Will Help Calm You
We pride ourselves on reducing anxiety in patients who are fearful. Our state of the art facility is equipped with TV screens above the tables to help distract and ease fears. We can play your favorite movie or pipe some relaxing music into some headphones. The headphones also block much of the noise from the dental instruments. Sedation dentistry is also offered in our office and is a great way to help you relax. We strive to be sympathetic, reassuring and competent so that our patients have less to worry about. If you need to, we would be glad to schedule an appointment with you where we do nothing but talk and take a tour so that you can get comfortable with the office, the staff and procedures before any dental work is done.
3. Consider Sedation
As mentioned, we do offer sedation. Nitrous oxide (“laughing gas”) is one option that can relax you especially if you are afraid of needles. Nitrous oxide is administered through tubes and a mask that fits over your nose. Novocain or a local anesthetic can numb the area that is being worked on so that you feel no pain while we work. We would be glad to discuss the various sedation options we offer.
4. Have Smaller Amounts of Work Done at a Time
You do not have to have all of your work done at one time. You can come in for shorter visits for one thing at a time to reduce your anxiety. You can come in for an initial meeting or teeth cleaning, then have an dental exam done then move on to multiple visits to complete any work needed. If it is less stressful to you to break it up over time, then we will be glad to do that for you.
5. Use Relaxation Techniques
Stress balls or other objects you can squeeze in your hand are often very helpful. Or bring in something else that brings you comfort. For children, it might be a stuffed animal or a favorite blanket. For adults, it might be a “worry stone” or a rosary, necklace, good luck charm or even a stuffed animal! A friend can offer additional support as well. Just make sure they aren’t going to contribute to your anxiety. They should be comfortable with dental offices and be able to cheer you on.
You can also practice breathing deeply. Breathe in a deep breath, hold it for a few seconds and then slowly exhale. These breathing techniques are great in slowing down anxiety attacks.
We’ve seen many items brought in and multiple techniques employed and we applaud those who are proactive in calming their fears.
6. Reward Yourself for a Job Well Done
Before coming to the dentist, make an appointment for a reward you get to enjoy AFTER your appointment. This will be incentive for you to keep your appointment as well as give you something to look forward to. How about a pedicure, manicure, massage, round of golf, movie or a date night? Maybe you could purchase that book, outfit, pair of shoes or electronic devise you have been waiting on. Whatever it is, make sure you really want it and make a deal with yourself that you will only get your reward after your dental visit.
At Lembo-Montgomery Cosmetic and Family dentistry we will never criticize the condition of your mouth or in any way make you feel uncomfortable. We will take the time to answer all of your questions and work with you for solutions to your dental problems. We will take the time to insure you are relaxed during all of your dental procedures.
Give us a call to schedule an appointment now. (704) 660-1120