If you feel nervous just thinking about visiting the dentist, you’re not alone. Your feelings of anxiety around visiting the dentist may be rooted in a previous dental experience or, if you haven’t been to the dentist in some time, you’re unsure what the dentist will find. Whatever the cause for your dental anxiety, our dentists in Gainesville with Comprehensive Dental Care are committed to helping you feel comfortable and at ease throughout each visit. The longer you delay visiting the dentist, the higher your risk of developing dental problems. Seeing your dentist regularly can help calm your worries and ensure you maintain top oral health. Here, our Gainesville dentists share four strategies for reducing dental anxiety. Contact us to learn more about our dental services and to schedule a dentist appointment.
Communicate With Your Dentist
Anyone who experiences anxiety knows sharing your feelings can make a difference. If you feel tense or anxious about visiting your dentist, consider discussing your concerns with your dental team. Tell your dentist about your anxiety and tell the receptionist that you’re nervous about dentist visits when you book an appointment. When you arrive, mention your anxiety to the receptionist and dental technician. Understanding each patient’s anxiety level can help our team offer top-quality, compassionate care that best accommodates them. Don’t be afraid to ask your dentist any questions you may have, as they will be happy to answer them. In many cases, knowing what a procedure entails can help alleviate fears of the unknown.
Consider Sedation Dentistry
Our Gainesville dentistry practice offers multiple types of dental sedation, including treatments with nitrous oxide, intravenous sedation, general anesthesia, and oral sedatives. We know that anxiety about dental care is a prevalent issue for certain patients. As such, our dental technicians and dentists work together to alleviate dental anxiety by providing excellent services and procedures that prioritize our patients’ needs. Sedation therapy, also called sedation dentistry, refers to using sedatives in patients during dental treatments. Most commonly, sedation is used during extensive dental procedures for patients with dental-related phobias and for those who find it difficult to remain still during dental procedures. Contact our dental office to discuss your options for sedation.
Practice Mindfulness Techniques
Whether at home or your dentist’s office, focusing your mind and attention on anxiety-alleviating thoughts and ideas can help ease your anxiety. Relaxation starts with the mind. Try to practice deep breathing exercises to help relax any tension in your muscles. Count each breath, inhale slowly, and exhale for the same number of counts. Repeat this exercise five times or so in the days leading up to your appointment, in the waiting room, and while sitting in the dental chair. Another method of easing dental anxiety is distracting yourself. Ask your dentist if you can wear headphones during dental procedures to help you focus on your favorite music or an audiobook. Consider keeping your hands busy by squeezing a stress ball or thumbing a paperclip during your visits.
Visit Your Dentist Regularly
Patients are more likely to come in for follow-up appointments when they schedule their next visits while they’re still in the office or at the end of their current visit. Scheduling appointments at the end of each visit can help you organize your thoughts and schedule and allow you a solidified timeline regarding your next visit with our dentists. Visiting your dentist at least twice each year for regular, professional teeth cleanings and dental check-ups are a critical aspect of your oral and overall health. Visiting the dentist regularly can help you become familiar with our dental team, allowing us to get to know you and your specific needs better over each visit. Additionally, regular visits can help prevent any serious dental issues from taking hold. Whether you come in for a simple check-up, teeth fillings, or other treatment, you can rest assured that our team will do everything possible to help ease your stress!