New Year’s Resolution: Overcome Being Afraid of the Dentist

If you’ve ever had a bad experience at the dentist, you’re not alone. Unfortunately for many people, bad experiences often cause dental fear or anxiety. Sometimes, being afraid of dental appointments can be caused by other factors, like:

• Fear of pain
• Fear of injections
• Loss of control
• Loss of personal space
• Embarrassment about teeth
• Pain when sitting in the dental chair for an extended appointment

Whatever the cause of your dental fear, it must be overcome! Regular dental cleanings and exams are essential to maintaining a healthy mouth and body. Without attending these appointments every six months, your risk of developing major dental problems increases.

So, if you’ve resolved to overcome being afraid of the dentist, use these five tips to win the battle against dental fear:

1. Choose a trusted dentist

Nobody enjoys being around a person they don’t trust—especially a medical professional. Ask your friends, family, and coworkers for recommendations to learn about dentists in your area. You should also search for “the best dentist near me” on Google to read reviews.

Be sure to choose a dentist that offers oral sedation dentistry! For invasive procedures, sedation makes all the difference.

Taking the time to find the right dentist for you will make all the difference when it comes to scheduling and attending your dental appointments.

2. Eat and drink properly before your appointment

Don’t get hyped up on caffeine and sugar before your dental appointment. Not only are these things bad for your teeth, they can increase anxiety. Instead, eat high-protein foods like eggs, beans, potatoes, chicken, Greek yogurt, or cottage cheese. These actually produce a calming effect, so you will feel more at ease during your appointment.

3. Bring a friend

It’s never a bad idea to bring a supportive friend or family member to your dental appointment. Just make sure you don’t bring someone who is also afraid of the dentist!

He or she can serve as your accountability partner—to make sure you actually attend your appointment— or your hype-man—encouraging you the entire time. Let your friend know why you asked him or her to tag along, of course.

4. Express your fears

Before your dentist or dental hygienist begins cleaning or examining your teeth, tell him or her about your fears and concerns. If you like to know everything, communicate that. If you don’t want to know anything, communicate that. Just let the team know what works best for you. (Mention it when you book your appointment, too, so the team can know ahead of time.) Your dentist and dental team will want to make your experience as stress-free and comfortable as possible. The only way they can do that is if you’re honest with them about your needs.

Together, you can come up with a plan to ease any anxiety. Part of this plan may include

• Breathing techniques
• Hand signals
• Music
• TV
• Sedation dentistry

5. Ask about oral conscious sedation dentistry

Depending on the severity of your dental fear, your dentist may suggest sedation dentistry to help you relax. Before your appointment, your dentist will prescribe a pill for you to take one hour before arriving at the dentist’s office. The dosage will depend on your anxiety level, age, weight, height, and medical history.

Oral conscious sedation allows patients to stay awake during the dental visit while also remaining completely at ease. It also helps patients by reducing their memory of the sights and smells of the dental office. Sedation can shorten treatment time for more complex procedures, as well.

Take the First Step

This is the year for overcoming dental fear! Begin your search for a “dentist near me” today to find a dentist that you can trust.

To meet with our Visalia, CA dentist, contact our office today at (559) 732-4543.