Simple Tricks for Overcoming Dental Anxiety Forever

Dental anxiety is a common issue that many patients face. It is the fear of visiting the dentist or the fear of dental procedures. Dental anxiety makes patients avoid dental appointments, which can result in serious dental problems over time.

Discuss your dental fears with your dentist

The dentist will ask questions about your current fears and past experiences with dental treatments. It is important to explain all your concerns in detail. Honesty is crucial if you want effective treatments without unnecessary anxiety or fear. Sometimes it helps to bring along someone who can drive you home after your appointment if you tend to feel sleepy afterward. Your dentist will also want to know details about your personal medical history to ensure there are no complications during the procedure.

After you and your dentist have talked through details related to treatment and your specific needs, you can work together to come up with solutions that will help you feel safe and relaxed during your appointments.

In some cases, a dentist may prescribe medication prior to a procedure to help with relaxation. 

Agree on a signal to let your dentist know you need help

Talk to your dentist about your fears and anxieties and agree on a signal that will let your dentist know if you need help during the procedure. The signal can be raising your hand or finger to signal for help.

Take a friend or family member with you for support

It’s never a good idea to go through dental procedures alone. Ask a friend or family member to accompany you to the office on the day of your procedure to provide support and keep you calm during the treatment. If anxiety is preventing you from visiting your dentist’s office, consider asking a loved one to go with you and act as a support system. If your friend or family member can provide a distraction from what’s going on in the dentist’s chair, you may be able to get through treatment without even realizing it!

Bring distractions to occupy your mind during procedures

Distractions can help take your mind off of your procedure and occupy it with other thoughts. Books, magazines, music players, and tablets are great options to bring to your appointments to keep your mind busy.

Having someone to accompany you to your appointment can also help provide a sense of comfort. While your friend or family member may not have a direct role in the appointment, they will be there to support you through the whole experience.

Ask for sedation dentistry

Another method to help combat fear is the use of sedation dentistry. This method involves the administration of medications to help a patient relax during a procedure. Local anesthetics are usually used for numbing the area to be treated, so patients do not experience any pain during the treatment. Many dentists also have intravenous sedatives available for more invasive treatments. Talk to your dentist about how they can tailor their approach to your specific needs and comfort levels.

Schedule a consultation with our team by calling the Las Vegas Dental office at (702) 248-4448 or Henderson dental office at (702) 485-4777 to learn more about our dental services. We would be happy to help.