It’s not just children who sometimes have a fear of the dentist. Grown-ups with an unpleasant dental experience in their past, discomfort with the sound or look of dental instruments, a strong gag reflex, or budget concerns often delay or refuse necessary dental care. The result? Even bigger dental problems that require more intense treatment. It’s better to find ways to minimize dental anxiety so you can get through every necessary dental visit with as little stress as possible.
1. Be honest with yourself.
Sometimes the biggest battle when it comes to winning over dental anxiety is acknowledging that you are dealing with this affliction. You may feel uncomfortable, nervous, or panicky when you think about going to the dentist. Once at the dental office, these feelings can intensify. Pay attention to your body and be honest that you are feeling anxious. This experience is normal for many people, and there are ways to combat it, the first one being that you recognize your reality and act.
2. Voice your dental anxiety.
Your Red Bank dentist can tell when a patient is uncomfortable in the dental chair or with a diagnosis. She cannot always tell, though, the level of anxiety you’re experiencing. If you’re someone who is good at hiding your fear, be honest about everything that concerns you.
Your dentist is prepared to help you find a comfortable way to approach the circumstances with calming and comfort measures like music, watching a movie, or holding a comfort item. If information helps calm you down, request a consultation to discuss the treatment steps before it occurs or ask for a play-by-play as the work is done. The most important thing is to get dental work completed to protect your oral health and prevent additional dental problems or the need for emergency dental treatment.
3. Don’t wait too long for dental care.
If you have a broken filling or developing cavity and your dentist tells you to schedule a repair, don’t wait long in between diagnosis and treatment. The more time between visits, the more likely you are to drag your feet or reschedule the appointment. Get the work done quickly to shorten the stressful waiting period, minimize pain, and avoid backing out of the care you need.
It is completely natural to have a low level of anxiety or stress about going to the dentist for any sort of restorative dentistry that involves a drill or numbing materials, from tooth-colored fillings to porcelain crowns. Procedures like these are typically necessary to fix oral health problems, some of which can be painful – there is no need to suffer through your dental anxiety alone when there are ways to get support.
Get Support for Dental Anxiety from Your Red Bank Dentist
If you haven’t seen the dentist for a while or you are due for a teeth cleaning, schedule an appointment with Dr. Carole Sherrod Jewell and her gentle dental team at Red Bank Dentistry in Red Bank, NJ. Everyone needs to take care of their smile, and even if you have fear about going to the dentist or getting dental work done, there are ways to combat your concerns and make every visit a little easier to endure.
