Dental anxiety is common among patients of all ages. Feelings of fear or anxiousness often come with visiting a dentist due to the unknown or the potential for pain. Thankfully, modern-day medicine and dentistry have allowed for the evolution of anti-anxiety tools to help patients manage and overcome their fears.
Dental anxiety, in particular, can be managed in a number of ways, however, not every option is suitable for everyone. It is important to talk with a dentist about dental anxiety prior to undergoing any procedures or appointments to ensure that there is a plan in place. Having a plan in place will help avoid surprises or potential anxiety attacks later on down the line.
The following information can be useful for someone who suffers from feelings of fear or anxiousness regarding going to the dentist. Keep reading to learn more!
One of the most common in-office solutions for dental anxiety is a medication administered by the dentist that helps patients to feel more relaxed and less anxious about their appointment or procedure. While these medications do have to be administered by a dentist, it is important to consult with a doctor too. Doctors can prescribe something that may not interfere with any other medical conditions.
A simple way that patients can manage and overcome dental anxiety is by talking with the dentist about the procedure or appointment. Dentist offices are staffed with dentists, dental hygienists and even dental assistants. Each of these team members can walk the patient through their appointment or procedure so that the patient knows exactly what to expect.
A lot of feelings of anxiousness or fear come from the unknown. Some procedures allow the dentist to talk through each step with the patient so that they know what is going on at every point in time. Being aware of what is happening can be quite helpful in reducing dental anxiety.
Another way that a dentist's office can help patients overcome dental anxiety is by practicing breathing exercises. Oftentimes when patients experience fear or anxiety, they may have difficulty breathing. Dentists and assistants can help patients focus on their breathing patterns to help maintain steadiness. Deep, steady breaths are known to help reduce anxiety and panic, which can be helpful for patients feeling worried or afraid.
Another option for dental anxiety is to listen to music. A lot of dentists are okay with their patients bringing in headphones to listen to music during the procedure or appointment. Certain music can be comforting while feeling afraid or nervous.
There are a lot of ways that dental anxiety can be managed and overcome. Working with a dentist to come up with a few anti-anxiety options can be helpful for dentist appointments and procedures. Reach out today to learn more or to get started with dental anxiety management tools.
Request an appointment here: https://www.ddsbaik.com or call Dennis Baik, DDS at (408) 676-5321 for an appointment in our San Jose office.
Check out what others are saying about our services on Yelp: Read our Yelp reviews.
Dental anxiety is a common issue that many people struggle with. The fear of going the dentist is real and debilitating. It blocks people from seeking the necessary dental care which consequently leads to more serious oral health issues down the line. Good thing is, there are several ways to combat dental anxiety and make…
Choosing the right dentist is important when addressing dental anxiety. Some dentists are fully prepared to address their patients' anxiety, while others place various levels of importance on how to treat patients who experience anxiety. When the right dentist is chosen, patients are more likely to make it to their regular dental appointments, supporting their…
If you find yourself scared of visiting the dentist or undergoing dental procedures, you might benefit from sedation dentistry. Most people dealing with dental anxiety would rather endure pain from dental issues instead of meet with the dentist. Sedation dentistry can help you deal with your dental fears and relax in the dentist's chair. The…
It’s no secret that undergoing a dental procedure can be a bit anxiety inducing. Luckily, with modern dentistry, we have modern solutions: sedation. Sedation is a commonly offered option to patients who undergo a lot of stress and fear when it comes to dental work. At Dr. Baik’s dental office, we offer two sedation options,…
A mouth guard is a protective covering worn over teeth to protect them while playing sports or grinding them at night. In the past, the use of mouth guards was mostly restricted to athletes. These days, more parents are following their dentists' advice and getting mouth guards for their kids who participate in physical sports.Every…
If you find yourself scared of visiting the dentist or undergoing dental procedures, you might benefit from sedation dentistry. Most people dealing with dental anxiety would rather endure pain from dental issues instead of meet with the dentist. Sedation dentistry can help you deal with your dental fears and relax in the dentist's chair. The…