We’re here to help you deal with dental anxiety. Read on for tips & tricks to help overcome your fears & make your next visit to the dentist easier…
Most people feel anxious from time to time. Some people may feel more anxious than others when it comes to visiting the dentist, and when we feel anxious, worried or frightened about something, it’s natural to want to avoid it.
However, keeping up with regular dental appointments and looking after your oral health is really important. If you’re struggling with a fear of the dentist, our top tips and advice can help you feel calmer.
Why is it important to keep up to date with dentist appointments?
Regular trips to your dentist can help treat and prevent a variety of tooth and gum-related problems, including:
- Cavities
- Tooth decay
- Gum disease
- Stained teeth
Going to the dentist can also help pick up on other potential health problems, so it’s a good idea not to skip your regular check-ups.
What’s causing my fear of the dentist?
When it comes to overcoming your fear of the dentist, it can be helpful to try and get to the root of the phobia. For instance, it could be caused by a bad previous experience at the dentist, tooth pain, fear of the unknown, or even embarrassment about your dental health.
If embarrassment about your gums or teeth is causing you to feel anxious about going to the dentist, remember your dentist sees hundreds of different mouths a week, and they won’t be judging you.
If a previous experience is putting you off, remember that dental care has come on in recent years and dental treatments are advancing all the time.
If being in pain, or the thought of being in pain, is stopping you from making an appointment with your dentist, remember that they’re trained to help make you as comfortable as possible. If you’re in pain, the sooner you get checked over, the sooner your dentist can put together a solution to help sort the problem and stop it from getting any worse.
Once you’ve identified what it is that’s causing your fear of dentists, it can help you manage and overcome your dental anxiety.
Tips for overcoming dental anxiety
If you’re feeling anxious or nervous about your trip to the dentist, there are some things that may help put your mind at ease:
- Find a dentist you’re comfortable with – a good dentist will be able to work with you to make your visit as calm and comfortable as possible
- Use relaxation techniques to help find your inner calm during your visit. Read our article on relaxation tips and techniques to help you unwind
- Try products like the Rescue Remedy range or Tisserand The Little Box of De-stress to help keep you feeling more relaxed before and during your appointment
- Bring a friend or family member for support
- Ask lots of questions, so you’re prepared and informed about what will happen during your appointment
- Take headphones to listen to music, an audiobook or a podcast to distract you from what’s going on, and drown out any possible noises
- Ask the dental nurse to chat to you or sit with you during your appointment
Read our article on health anxiety for more information and tips on how to help stop your health worries taking over.
You can also take a look at our tips for overcoming fear for real-life inspiration and advice from a trained psychologist on how to stop your fear getting in the way of you living your life.
If your anxiety is severe and you need dental treatment, you could speak to your dentist about sedation options during the treatment.
If you suffer from anxiety, you may find cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) useful. Find out more about what CBT is in our article. Speak to your GP if you feel like CBT might be beneficial for you if you’re struggling to cope with anxiety.
Don’t let your worries about the dentist get in the way
Visiting the dentist may feel daunting if you feel nervous or anxious, but rest assured that dental staff are trained to deal with nervous patients. Your dentist will understand your fears and will do everything they can to make you feel as comfortable as possible. After all, it’s their job to keep a smile on your face!
It’s also worth bearing in mind that dental treatments are advancing all the time, and lots of dental procedures can now be done with minimal discomfort.
And always remember, if you’re anxious about going to the dentist, you aren’t alone. Many people live with anxiety and phobias, and your dentist will be used to looking after people who have dental anxiety.
So, arm yourself with these tips and techniques, book that dentist appointment and keep on smiling!
