Dealing With Dental Anxiety

As a premium dental care clinic with a human touch, our team at Northern Beaches Dental understands that visits to the dentist can be challenging for many people. For some, dental anxiety due to traumatic past experiences can be a significant deterrent to seeking treatment and maintaining general oral health. Our mission is to provide you with a calming, reassuring experience from the moment you walk in. A stress-free visit to the dentist is possible when a good clinic identifies ways to reduce stress to begin with.

Here are some common dental fears that we have encountered:

• Fear of needles: For most people, the anticipation of a needle in their gums can cause anxiety.
• The Drill: Although dentists are trained to use drills in the least painful ways possible, for many patients, the sound of the equipment and vibration can cause distress.
• Pain: The fear and anticipation of intense pain can magnify even mild pain into something much worse.
• Embarrassment: Many people are embarrassed about their teeth, or bad breath, and are less inclined to seek out dental care out of social anxiety.

Overcoming Dental Anxiety

We believe that the best way to alleviate dental care anxiety is to speak to your dental health professional about it openly. A good dental clinic has significant experience treating patients of all age groups, with different types of temperaments and anxieties. Speaking to your clinic about your fears before booking your appointment can go a long way in reducing fear. The simple act of vocalising your fear can have a positive effect, and a conscientious clinic will communicate the procedure to you in an honest, calm way.

Let your dentist help you identify the specific fear, as this will help put things in perspective, and help with a solution.

Some patients find it comforting to bring someone with them, like a friend or family member.

During a procedure, some patients prefer being told when a sharp pain or sensation is about to occur. Experienced dentists know how to convey the sensation that is about to happen in a way that makes you feel prepared, without causing alarm.

Sedatives used in dentistry are safe and have a proven track record, speak to your dentist about sedation if the anxiety is overwhelming. For those who prefer not to be sedated, simple mindfulness exercises can help. Learn about mindfulness, meditation and breathing techniques which help calm the mind and body.

If you experience intense, debilitating anxiety and stress during dental visits, it is recommended that you seek professional help. The experience of intense fear can be managed who can help deal with the root cause of the fear. Dealing with the anxiety at this level can reduce the stress of dental visits, which are important for oral health. Becoming accustomed to regular dental check-ups is better than avoiding them out of fear until serious procedures are unavoidable.

For children who experience anxiety, Northern Beaches Dental Practice provides happy gas and IV sedation for nervous patients.

Dental Care With a Personal Touch

Northern Beaches Dental is committed to providing state-of-the-art dental care in a comforting, reassuring environment. Call us today at 02 9190 6925 or chat with us online. Talk to our staff about your concerns regarding dental care so they can put you at ease and provide you with the best dental care available.