I am afraid of the dentist!
OK, I said it and I know I’m not alone!
Many people suffer from dental anxiety on many different levels. There are the kind that get a bit jittery at their annual visit to the dentist and range through to those who have extreme anxiety and avoid booking an appointment all together. There is no shame in it, everyone has anxiety over things in life and maybe yours just happens to be going to the dentist?
The truth of the matter is it is better to have regular check-ups and keep your pearly whites in good nick, but we all know that. So what would it take for you to make an appointment after sooo many years of neglect? Trust me, our dentists have seen it all before and you’ll feel good about taking the first step and booking an appointment for a general check. The dentist doesn’t have to commence work on your teeth right away, they can discuss what needs to be done and draw up a treatment plan which you feel comfortable with. One step at a time, and maybe you’ll get lucky and not have to have a thing done except for a clean and a talking to about going to the dentist more regularly!
You have to start somewhere so why not make it before you have tooth ache!
Some ideas to make you feel more comfortable about going to the dentist:
1) Bring a friend or family member along with you.
If you would feel better having a friend or family member with you, why not bring them? Once again there is no shame in it, you should be proud that you are taking the first step to looking after your oral health more thoroughly.
2) Try some quiet meditation or deep breathing to calm yourself before your appointment
Take some quiet time to soothe your nerves before your appointment, this can really help and has been beneficial to many of our patients.
Dr Davies also provides dental hypnosis and can teach you dental self-hypnosis to reduce anxiety prior to your visit.
Read our page on dental anxiety management for more info:
http://lastingimpressionsdental.com.au/dental-anxiety-management/
3) Schedule an appointment first thing in the morning so you don’t have time to stew over it, that way your appointment will be over before you know it!
4) Be well informed, no I don’t mean ‘Google it’! Ask your dentist what your appointment will involve, some people like to know exactly what is being done and on the other hand some people don’t like to know at all. But having said that, it is best to have a general idea what to expect.
5) If these techniques don’t help there is also Laughing Gas/Happy Gas (Nitrous Oxide), ask your dentist at Lasting Impressions Dental about it or visit:
http://lastingimpressionsdental.com.au/dental-anxiety-management/
This can be very helpful in relaxing a patient and sometimes eve get them over their fear of dental appointments.
Dr Davies and Dr Truong are here to help and make you feel as comfortable as possible,at Lasting Impressions Dental we understand dental anxiety and will help you step by step to regaining healthy teeth and healthy gums.
I hope some of these tips have been helpful to you and maybe you’re ready to take that first step and book in for a check-up?
Phone the surgery on 6249 8383 we promise we’ll be gentle! 🙂