Blog

Dental fear is quite common. Many people feel nervous about their visit to the dentist. Dental phobia is a fear that is specific to dental procedures. Dental phobia can prevent individuals from getting the dental care they need to maintain good oral health. Dental phobia can stem from a fear of pain, a fear of needles, or a bad experience in the past. Whatever your dental phobia is, it is important to address it. Dental phobia can have a negative effect on your oral health. It can cause you to delay or skip dental appointments. Dental phobia can also cause you to skip procedures that are necessary and beneficial.

Discuss your fears with the dentist

Going to the dentist regularly is important to maintain your oral health. However, many people are afraid to go to the dentist because how dental appointments make them feel as if they lie in the dental chair getting their teeth cleaned or examined. The fear of needles and blood, the strong smell of the disinfectants used at the dental office, and the noises your dentist makes while performing certain dental tasks may cause you to feel anxious and uncomfortable going to the dentist.

In order to overcome this and ensure your next dental visit is not an unpleasant experience for you, it is important to discuss your fears and concerns regarding your teeth with your dentist. Inform them of what makes you feel uncomfortable at the dentist’s office, so they can do a better job of helping you relax during your appointments. 

Agree on a signal

You can also agree on a signal to use when you want to convey something to the dentist. This could be raising your hand or simply taking a few deep breaths. Your dentist should understand your needs and make you feel more at ease during your visit.

Take a friend or family member with you for emotional support

It is also important to bring someone you trust with you to the dentist’s office to keep you calm. This can be a family member or friend who makes you feel more comfortable in unfamiliar situations. While you are sitting in the dental chair, your companion can distract you with a conversation and help the time go by faster. You can talk them through what your dentist is doing and explain to them why it needs to be done in the first place to ease their concerns about the treatment they are undergoing. They can also help you feel more relaxed by gently holding your hand throughout the appointment.

Get some distractions with you

A patient who experiences dental fear can also take some distractions with them to the dental office. They can listen to music, read a book or magazine, or do other kinds of activities as a distraction during treatment.

Ask for sedation dentistry

Lastly, if you feel that you need more help overcoming your fear of visiting the dentist, you can consider getting sedation dentistry. We can give you an anti-anxiety medication that can help you sleep through the treatment.

Sedation dentistry is a technique that is used to alleviate patients’ fear of going to the dentist and undergoing dental procedures. It can also help those who are incapable of sitting still for long durations of time as well as those who have difficulty controlling their gag reflex. There are different types of sedation options depending on the severity of the fear and the duration of the procedure. Some options include nitrous oxide (laughing gas), oral conscious sedation, and intravenous sedation. Talk to your dentist about which option is best for you. They will be able to recommend the best method based on your needs and medical history.

Request an appointment here: https://www.thedentistindenverco.com or call Gregg L Lage DDS, PC at 303-427-4552 for an appointment in our Denver office.