Fear of dentists and dental procedures is extremely common. Anxieties about dentistry often prevent those suffering from dental problems from finding solutions. The fear forces them to endure pain and contribute to damage that could be eliminated with routine dental care. Such anxieties are not only unfounded and harmful to your health, but they are also unnecessary.

Modern dental practice offers a variety of ways to make dental procedures painless and stress-free. Whether your level of anxiety is relatively minor or completely debilitating, there are ways to ease or eradicate your fears. Try some of these ideas to help ease your anxiety while keeping your mouth healthy and pain-free:

Make appointments early in the day.

Waiting until late in the day for a dentist appointment can make your anxiety to build and leave you dreading your appointment. Schedule dental visits as early in the day as you can to prevent anticipation and the associated fear.

Talk to your dentist about your anxiety.

Some patient are more comfortable if the dentist explains each procedure as it is performed; others would prefer not to know what is happening at all. Tell your dentist know what scares you and what might make you more comfortable so that your care can be tailored to help you relax.

Wear headphones.

Many patients say that it’s not the procedure but the sound of the dental tools that is so frightening. Try listening to music or your favorite podcast when you get your cleanings and undergo dental work. The sound will not only drown out the noise of the tools, but it will also distract you from the procedure and make time go by more quickly.

Consider sedation dentistry.

Sedation dentistry is an easy and effective way to eliminate the fear associated with dental procedures. Some types of sedation can even cause the patient to forget the procedure and make it feel as if time has passed very quickly. Sedation dentistry allows highly anxious patients to receive regular, necessary dental care with little to no stress.

Talk to your dentist about your anxiety and let the staff help you create a solution that will ease your anxieties. Dental health is a major component to a healthy lifestyle. Without routine dental care, you can suffer from pain and even disease that could be prevented by regular appointments.

If you have dental anxiety, contact us to let us help you find a way to care for your mouth without the stress!