Beating Dental Anxiety at Captivate Dental
Feeling butterflies when a dental appointment is approaching? You’re not alone—many people experience this, too.
According to the Dental Research Journal, 2.5-20% of individuals face high dental anxiety, with some due to past negative experiences and others because of long gaps between visits. The clinical setting of a dentist’s office can also feel intimidating.
But here’s the good news: while dental anxiety is entirely normal, seeing your dentist regularly is essential for your dental and overall health.
That’s why your Cheltenham dentist is committed to giving you a dental experience with the least possible amount of anxiety and discomfort!
What causes dental anxiety? Studies reveal four things:
1. Fear of pain
Fear of pain is the most common reason for avoiding the dental office.
This fear usually stems from an unpleasant early dental experience or dental “horror” stories told by others or seen in the media.
But modern dentistry has moved far beyond the discomfort of the “old days,” with improved dental techniques, better understanding and compassion, and enhanced anaesthetic methods.
2. Fear of injections or fear the injection won’t work
Many people are terrified of needles, and that fear increases if that needle is going to be inserted into their mouth.
Others are concerned that the injection will not wholly block pain.
3. Embarrassment and loss of personal space
Many people feel uncomfortable when others get too close, but dentistry requires the dentist or hygienist to get close and enter the mouth.
Others may feel self-conscious about the appearance of their teeth, evidence of poor care, or possible mouth odours.
4. Feelings of loss of control and helplessness
Understandably, people feel these emotions given the situation—you’re in a dental chair, mouth wide open, with fingers and tools inside, and you can’t see what’s happening.
The problem is that NOT visiting your dentist only leads to more significant issues down the road!
Dealing with Dental Anxiety
The good news is there are personal strategies you can utilise to decrease your anxiety:
Get to know your dentist.
Communicate your concerns and fears from your first visit onward. If we understand what worries you, we can help mitigate it.
So there are no “mysteries”; our staff will explain what you can expect during any visit, helping reduce your fear of the “unknown.”
Get rest
Get a good night’s sleep and avoid caffeine before your appointment. Never get a dental check-up or procedure when you are feeling ill.
Pay attention to scheduling.
If you are a worrier, schedule your appointment in the early morning. This doesn’t give you the time to start questioning the procedure or worrying about a visit later in the day.
Bring a friend
Having someone you trust nearby can help you to make decisions and calm down. If you need reassurance, they will be there for you!
If your friend is a stuffed animal or stress ball, don’t worry—at Captivate Dental, we understand!
Distract yourself
If you don’t have to concentrate on your treatment, you are less likely to feel anxiety.
So, go for distraction! Listen to music, read magazines and books, or even draw in a colouring book while you wait for your appointment.
If you like control, ask the staff to distract you by explaining the step-by-step process you are receiving.
Breathe!
Control your breathing by taking a deep breath through your nose, holding it for a second or two, and letting it out slowly.
This relaxes your muscles, slows your heartbeat, and gives you something else to concentrate on.
Schedule regular dental check-ups.
This seems unintuitive for anxious patients, as it means more time in the dental chair.
However, regular visits help you get to know and trust dentists, staff, and procedures and reduce the number of visits you need.
Captivate Dental will identify and treat problems early, avoiding complicated and expensive procedures farther down the line.
Discuss sedation options
If you still can’t bring yourself to visit us, talk to us about sedatives, anaesthetics, or prescriptions that may or may not be appropriate for you to ease your anxiety.
Beat your Dental Fear with your Trusted Cheltenham Dentist
Captivate Dental provides the highest quality care and enables patients to make informed choices.
Our competent, caring staff offers value through excellent diagnostic skills and effective use of the best quality materials.
For more information, call us on (03) 9553 1249. Visit us on the web, or use our convenient online booking page.
We are located at 36 Chesterville Road in Cheltenham.
