5 Tips For Managing Dental Anxiety

Most individuals do not consider a visit to the dentist as a big deal. However, for patients with dental anxiety, the most straightforward dental check-up can be the stress of their lives. Dental anxiety is a form of anxiety well defined as severe nervousness or anxiety that one develops before a dental appointment and, in some cases, during the dental appointment. The problem is that failing to seek regular dental checkups can lead to severe oral and sometimes even general medical issues. But there are solutions. In this blog post, learn about 5 effective strategies that will assist you in overcoming dental anxiety so that you can receive the dental care you require without any stress.

What causes dental anxiety?

Dental anxiety and dentophobia are fears acquired due to experiences with past events. These levels of dental anxiety stem from previous experiences, unpleasant pictures or videos, or hearing from others. Some let the unknown costs work as additional stress, and some avoid preventive care, which later poses some health risks to them.

Such patients have abnormally elevated levels of anxiety regarding dental treatment in general, particularly concerning injections with local anesthesia, the atmosphere of the dental office, and the dental hygienists.

Some of the main issues people have with dental visits relate to their physical feelings: needles, feelings of loss of control during anesthesia, the possibility of pain, or feelings of intrusiveness because a dentist would be close to the patient.

Suppose this dread is driven to such an extent and with such severity that it moves beyond your voluntary control. In that case, it may be considered as odontophobia – a dental phobia that needs a complex approach to the treatment.

Effects of Not Attending Dental Appointments

You might think there are no repercussions for missing a dental appointment; however, there can be long-term effects on one’s health. This is because even when an individual observes high standards of oral hygiene in their homes, it is always advisable to seek professional cleanings. Local dentists can recognize and treat mild cavities or other problems that, if not treated in their early stages, may lead to severe oral health complications, including the loss of teeth, gum disease, or oral infection.

Communicate With Your Dentist

At Lavaca Dental, we want to understand whether you have anxiety and to what extent. While many dental offices in Texas may not pay attention to their patients’ anxiety levels, we do. We focus on the mental and emotional health of your teeth and body.

When booking an appointment with us, it is crucial that our clinicians receive information about any concerns that you may have concerning an appointment or may feel concerned during the visit. This will assist us in being ready and possibly dealing with any issues you might have on the table.

That being said, fear not. When you open up to us, your doubts shall not be disregarded. However, we will be able to talk about strategies that we can provide to you to avoid getting stressed.

Some of the practices that we can use to ease your apprehension in the dental chair include:

• Explaining all that we are undertaking and keeping you informed all through the process
• Getting your permission/consent before implementing any actions
• Setting up a cue that I can use when I don’t want us to talk anymore, perhaps by rubbing your toe or hand
• Consultation to talk to your dentist and establish a certain level of familiarity before they get to work on your teeth
• Instead of drilling, we use laser dentistry, i.e., nonconventional approaches to dental treatment.

Dental anxiety requires proper communication between a patient and his or her dentist, the dental hygienist, and even the receptionist.

Use Numbing Medications

If a part of your fear stems from the feeling of pain while undergoing some processes, ask your dentist about numbing medications. These can make a world of difference in your comfort level:

• Topical anesthetics–Gel or spray applied directly on gums to block the sensitivity for injections.
• Selective anesthetics–They target only the nerves involved in transmitting pain signals. Or double doses of typical anesthesia.
• Oral sedatives–Risks of anti-anxiety medications such as Valium help to calm you before the appointments if prescribed by your doctor.
• Nitrous oxide–Laughing gas offers relaxation and anesthetic effects.
• Conscious sedation – IV medications – they create a state of deep relaxation and temporary loss of memory.

Distraction Techniques

Another method is the distraction technique, whereby you shift focus to ordinary items. Sometimes, it can simply be tuning into your favorite television program or listening to audiobooks.

Other distraction strategies you can try out include the following:

• Carry a stress reliever item as the comfort item.
• Take a fidget toy(providing it will not hinder therapy).
  Bring someone with you– a family member, a friend, or a spouse.
• Try to imagine yourself in a calm environment.
• Any of these methods will help you shift focus away from treatment and encourage relaxation.

Practice Deep Breathing

Proper oxygen intake boosts the oxygen supply to the brain, calming the heart rate and activating the parasympathetic system, thus creating calmness.

This technique of deep breathing can be done before and during the dental visit to minimize the level of anxiety that one has. The only thing to concentrate on is breathing as you take heave breaths through the nose and out through the mouth.

Try Meditation

Dental anxiety is a common issue that people face, but meditation is proven to be an efficient solution. Meditation means directing your concentration toward the lessons on awareness to produce feelings of tranquility and vitality. Begin practicing meditation at home and use meditation formats as usual for a day until you determine the one that suits you best. Besides enhancing your dental experiences, meditation can be a lifetime remedy that can assist you in factors such as awareness and tolerance.

Summing It Up

At Lavaca Dental Clinic, we do not want any patient to experience dental anxiety; however, we accept that it is inevitable sometimes. A successful dental visit does not end with just being told, ‘You have no cavities,’ but rather a true epitome of your experience. Everyone on our team is open to discussing your concerns or treatment options and dental phobia if that concerns you. We shall assist you in finding a way to help you be stress-free as you undergo your dental care. You should visit the Lavaca Dental today to fix a date to be attended to.