Fear and anxiety are common when it comes to visiting the dentist. Our Surrey dentists offer advice and tips to help you get over your dental anxiety.
Many of our patients experience a degree of anxiety about undergoing dental treatment. It may to do with a variety of issues, including fear of needles, anxiety about a feeling of invasiveness and loss of control, concerns about pain, previous negative experiences, or even embarrassment over poor dental health.
Our Surrey dentists help our patients deal with varying degrees and types of anxiety around their dental care on a regular basis. Over the years, they’ve discovered that the following steps and techniques help the most in quelling patients' fears.
1. Face Your Fears
Confront your feelings and fears, and actively consider them rather than trying to ignore them or bottle them up. You may find it helps to write them down in a list. This can help you look at them more objectively, removing some of their power over you. In addition, it will help you explain your feelings and concerns to your dentist more clearly.
2. Communicate Your Fears to Your Dentist
Not to worry, we won’t be offended! It’s perfectly understandable and normal to feel anxious about an upcoming medical procedure, and that includes dental procedures, too.
Good communication is the foundation of a good patient-dentist relationship. Tell your dentist about your anxieties during your initial consultation, or at least before treatment begins. This will allow the dentist to better gauge your needs and develop a treatment plan that suits them.
Together, you and your dentist can agree on cues and signals that you can use during treatment if you need a break or become uncomfortable.
3. Try Relaxation Techniques
Relaxation techniques can be used leading up to and/or during a dental appointment to help you feel a bit more calm. Try things like yoga and controlled breathing to help relax your muscles and slow your heartbeat.
4. Use Distractions
Distraction techniques and tools are helpful in keeping your mind off of what’s going on during your dental procedure. For instance, you can listen to some music, play with a stress ball, count to yourself or come up with number patterns in your head.
5. Ask About Dental Sedation
Our Surrey dentists offer dental sedation options for patients whose dental anxiety can’t be quelled through the above means. » Learn More
6. Choose the Right Dentist for You
Choosing a dentist who takes a special interest in helping patients with dental anxiety, and with whom you have a good rapport, can be extremely helpful. Our Surrey dentists have spent a lot of time carefully considering how best to help patients with dental anxieties. They take an active approach to addressing a wide range of fears on an almost daily basis.
It is our mission to help you feel comfortable and at ease with your dental treatment. After all, patients who feel good about their treatment will be more likely to get it, to the benefit of their oral health!
