Jun 01, 2023
Dental anxiety or phobia is a common reason for avoiding or delaying professional dental care, mainly due to fear of feeling pain or discomfort. Unfortunately, a lack of professional dental care can significantly increase your risk of oral problems like tooth decay, gum disease, tooth loss, and oral discomfort.
Fortunately, our Plymouth dentist near you can help you manage and conquer your dental fears to ensure that you receive proper dental care. This guide explores the various techniques your dentist can use to help you overcome your dental anxiety or fears.
Techniques for Managing Dental Anxiety
Based on your condition and dental needs, your dentist can use the following techniques to manage your dental anxiety or phobia:
Sedation dentistry
Dental sedation is a common method of managing phobia or fear. It involves using sedative medications to help you relax and feel comfortable during dental appointments. The levels of sedation range from minimal to deep, depending on your needs and the complexity of your procedure. Common types of sedation include nitrous oxide (laughing gas), oral sedation, IV sedation, and general anesthesia.
Behavioral techniques for anxiety. Your dentist can use the following behavioral techniques to manage your dental fears:
- Deep breathing. Deepbreaths can calm your nerves and reduce anxiety during dental appointments.
- Progressive muscle relaxation. The dentist can tense or relax different muscle groups to minimize anxiety and promote relaxation.
- Distraction techniques. Shifting your focus from your dental procedure to something else can help minimize dental anxiety or phobia. For instance, you can watch a movie or listen to music.
- Positive reinforcement. Especially in kids, dentists can use positive reinforcement like rewards or praise to help dental patients relax and feel more at ease.
- Relaxation techniques for dental anxiety.
The following relaxation techniques can also help manage and conquer dental anxiety:
- Meditation and mindfulness. Focusing on your breathing by slowly breathing in and out methodically can reduce tension and stress levels, helping them stay relaxed and calm during dental appointments.
- Distractions. Taking your mind off the dental environment to something good you’re looking forward to can reduce fear and anxiety during dental appointments.
- Aromatherapy.It involves using essential oils such as lavender to reduce stress and promote overall relaxation.
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT).
The dentist can suggest CBT, a psychological treatment for people with severe dental anxiety, to identify and change negative or wrong beliefs and behaviors related to dental phobia and anxiety.
It involves using virtual reality technology to create a simulated dental experience for patients to help them feel more comfortable with particular dental experiences.
How to Find a Dentist for Dental Anxiety
If you have dental anxiety or fear, having a good dentist who understands your needs and can help you overcome your dental anxiety and fears is essential. Below are vital tips for finding a good dentist:
Ask for recommendations:
You can ask your family, friends, or work colleagues for recommendations of a good dentist with experience managing dental phobia.
Google search:
A quick Google search about dentists specializing in sedation dentistry in your locality can give you a list of potential dentists to consider. Be sure to read the testimonials and reviews of the dentists to understand their experience, skills, and character.
Choosing the Right Dentist
Now that you have a list of potential dentists for dental anxiety use the following tips to narrow it down to the right dentists:
- Training and education. Ensure your dentist has the proper education and skills to offer dental sedation and treatments.
- Experience. A dentist with significant experience will likely offer better services than those with less or no experience.
- Dental location and office hours. A good dentist should be easy to reach from your home, work, or school. This way, you can be assured of receiving prompt care when you need it.
- Budget. A good dentist should have considerable dental fees and payment plans. It would be better if they could take your insurance.
- Dental office environment. Schedule an appointment with your potential dentists to review the atmosphere of the dental office and staff. A good dentist should have a supportive and understanding team and a clean environment.
Overcome Your Dental Anxiety with Our Dentist in Plymouth, NH.
Don’t let your dental fears or anxiety prevent you from receiving professional dental care. Our dentists in the Dental Arts of Plymouth are skilled and experienced in managing dental anxiety and can help you go through dental procedures with ease and comfort.
