Dental Fear
Easing the Fear of Dentists
Dental Fear Management Canley Heights
If you ever get anxious thinking about going to the dentist, you’re not alone.
Perhaps you’re scared the visit might hurt, or you haven’t been in a while and are unsure what the dentist will find.
Signs of Dental Fear
Common signs of dental fear include:
- Difficulty sleeping the night before your dental appointment
- The feeling of nervousness that worsens while in the dental office
- Crying or feeling ill at the mere thought of visiting the dentist
- Intense uneasiness at the thought of or when objects are placed in your mouth during the treatment or suddenly feeling like it’s difficult to breathe
How Dental Fear Affects Your Health
When something scares you, what do you do? Avoid it at all costs! Going to the dentist, getting preventive care, and addressing issues are critical to your dental and overall health
Letting your dental fear hold you back from going to the dentist or getting recommended treatments can lead to negative outcomes, such as:
- Stained and discoloured teeth
- Chipped, broken, and cracked teeth
- Gum (periodontal) disease
- Gum recession
- Cavities and tooth decay
- Oral pain
- Tooth loss
Not to mention the symptoms and risk factors for various other dental-related issues (like TMJ, and even oral cancer) that will go undetected or untreated.
Going to the dentist is only for your benefit. Keeping this fact top of mind is important for your journey in overcoming your dental fears.
Managing Dental Fear
If you wonder if you should talk with your dentist about your fears and worries, the answer is definitely YES.
If your dentist knows your fears, we can better work with you to determine the best methods to make you less nervous and more relaxed.
Here are some ways to help you cope:
- Ask your Canley Heights dentist to explain what’s happening at every step of the appointment so that you can prepare for what’s to come.
- Establish a stop signal, like raising your hand to let your dentist know that you’d like them to stop what they’re doing. Use it once you become uncomfortable, want to rinse your mouth or need to catch your breath.
- If sounds are the problem, use earbuds to listen to your favourite music.
Dental Fear Management in Canley Heights
Dental visits are not as dreadful as you think they are. Their goal is to keep your oral health on track. If you’re trying to overcome your anxiety or fear, keep the tips discussed to make your appointment comfortable as possible.
For more information, call us on (02) 9199 9678 or book your appointment online.
We are located at 1/229 Canley Vale Road in Canley Heights.
Dental FAQ’s
Listed below are the most commonly asked questions we receive from our patients.
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I'm so nervous about visiting my dentist. What should I do?
The worst thing that you could do would be not visiting your dentist, as this can result in severe oral health problems and result in long and potentially painful and expensive surgery.
Try visiting your dentist in advance to talk to them about your procedure and to get a feel for the dental surgery.
What do you do to help me relax during my visit to the dentist?
It would help if you let your dentist know that you are nervous about your procedure. Many dental procedures play soothing, relaxing music to help put their patients at ease while they are receiving treatment.