5 Helpful Tips To Ease Your Dental Fear

Dental fear or anxiety prevents millions of people from receiving critical dental care. This fear keeps many people away from the dentist, even when they are experiencing severe pain. It’s essential to overcome your dental fears so you can maintain healthy teeth and gums. Here are some tips to help you ease dental fear:

Speak up about your fears

Many people experience fear or anxiety at the thought of going to the dentist. Your dentist is there to help you and wants your dental health to be at its best! Ignoring problems with the teeth will only make treatment more complicated and costly in the future. Don’t be afraid to speak up about your fears and concerns. Remember, your dentist wants you to have the best oral health possible and will be happy to help in any way they can.

On your appointment day, make sure you arrive about 15 minutes early to fill out new patient paperwork. This will also give you time to ask any additional questions you may have before seeing the dentist. During this appointment, let your dentist know if you have fears or concerns about how you may feel during treatment. Also, let them know if there is anything specific that makes you feel nervous such as the sound of the drill. This will help your dentist know what tools to use to make your visit go smoothly.

If your dentist recommends a procedure that you feel uncomfortable with, let your dental care team know how you feel about it. 

Agree on a signal

Your dentist will have to know when you are uncomfortable or in pain. It is okay to ask for a break if you experience discomfort, and your dentist may request one himself. Talk about your level of pain tolerance beforehand so that your dentist knows to stop before causing you too much stress. If at any time you feel you need a break to communicate your needs, use the agreed-upon signal to let him or her know. For example, you may use a hand motion to ask if you want a break. If you are too nervous about speaking up, these signals are important. 

Take a trusted person with you

Bringing someone you trust to your dental appointment is a great way to ease your nerves. It’s common to feel some anxiety during any type of medical visit, but having a person at your side who can provide emotional support and help you remember important information can make your appointment go more smoothly and reduce your stress level.

Bring distractions

Distracting yourself is a great way to combat fear during a dental procedure. Cell phones, books, and other personal devices are a great way to keep your mind busy and ease your anxiety. You could also bring headphones to listen to your favorite music or book while your dentist works on you.

Consider sedation dentistry

If you experience significant anxiety when going to the dentist, you may benefit from some form of sedation dentistry at your appointments. Modern dental care has come a long way since the days of having to hold your mouth open for minutes at a time while an unpleasant procedure is performed. Today, there are a number of options for sedation dentistry that will let you relax during your treatment. You may be able to choose between oral medication and nitrous oxide, otherwise known as laughing gas. Nitrous oxide is a colorless, odorless gas that you will inhale through a mask that is worn over your nose. It is quick acting, allowing you to feel relaxed before you even begin your dental treatment. Laughing gas wears off quickly as well. Oral medications may be prescribed prior to your dental visit or administered during the course of the appointment. These medications cause drowsiness as well as amnesia during the procedures performed. This type of sedation is typically provided by an oral surgeon or an anesthesiologist.

To learn more, get in touch with the dentists at Stonewall Dental by calling (703) 368-1000 or visiting the office at 8719 Stonewall Road, Manassas, VA 20110.