Overcoming Dental Anxiety
- Posted on: Dec 18 2020
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Dental anxiety is not the same as dental phobia. Dental anxiety is where your stress level becomes elevated when it is time for your appointment at the dentist. Dental phobia is the fear you may experience before you see the dentist even if it is an appointment for a dental exam and cleaning. Dental anxiety or dental phobia can affect individuals of any age.
If you have either dental anxiety or dental phobia you are more likely to develop dental problems such as cavities, infections, or gum disease because you avoid your routine visits. Dental anxiety or dental phobia should not keep you from having a healthy mouth.
Some of the signs of dental anxiety or dental phobia
- Waiting to visit the dentist until you are in severe dental pain
- You have a hard time sleeping on the nights before your visits
- You don’t feel comfortable while waiting in the office
- You feel physically ill when you think about going to the dentist
- You have difficulty breathing when you are getting dental care
- You may have had an experience that causes you to be afraid
- You are afraid of needles or worry that anesthesia won’t work
- You are afraid of the side effects of anesthesia.
- You don’t like the physical closeness of the dentist or hygienist
- You can’t see what is happening in your mouth
How to manage your dental anxiety or dental phobia
- Speak up. Tell us what makes you afraid
- Ask us about your oral health and the recommended treatment plan
- Work with us to address your fear
- Establish a means of communication with hand signals if you want us to stop or if you need to take a break
- Avoid caffeine before seeing your dentist. It can increase your levels of stress and anxiety.
- Bring headphones so you can listen to your own music
At Clock Tower Dental in Franklin Square, we understand dental anxiety and dental phobia. We also recognize that your dental anxiety or dental phobia can be detrimental to your overall dental health. We make the time to help our patients with their anxiety or phobia and make sure they get the best dental care. For our patients with dental anxiety or dental phobia, there are several different techniques that we can use to help keep them calm and relaxed during their dental visit. One of them is conscious sedation which safely allows our patients to feel sleepy but aware during their treatment. You can be worry-free while getting the dental care you need.
If it helps you feel more comfortable, bring a friend or family member with you when you come in for your dental visit. You will feel more relaxed with someone who can provide you with comfort and support. Please let us know and we will make sure that they can sit with you as long as possible.
Choose the compassionate dentists at Clock Tower Dental who understand dental anxiety and dental phobia. To make an appointment, please call us at 516-217-0017 or you can click here to contact us.
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