3 Tips for Managing Dental Anxiety
If you find yourself avoiding dental appointments because of dental anxiety, know that you are not alone. Millions of people suffer from dental anxiety that ranges from general unease in the dental chair to complete avoidance of the dentist. We don't want you to avoid us, though! Your dental health is too important for that. Instead, try some of these tips for managing your dental anxiety during your dental appointments.
Let Your Dental Team Know
When you come in for an appointment, or even before your appointment, let us know that going to the dentist makes you anxious. Trust us, it's not the first time we've heard it, and you don't need to be embarrassed about it! Telling us actually lets us prepare for your visit and know to work at a pace that works for you. We can plan to let you take breaks during your treatment or make sure you're comfortable with a pillow and blanket. Whatever you need to feel more comfortable, we can help make it happen if we know that you need it.
Bring Comfort Items
Or even comfort people! If you need some headphones to listen to your favorite tunes, bring them along. Does your child have a comfort toy that will help them feel less anxious? Let them bring it. If having your spouse in the room while we work will help you feel less anxious, that's fine, too! Just give us a heads up so we can make arrangements. We want you to feel as comfortable as possible.
Sedation Dentistry: When All Else Fails
If none of these options help ease your nerves, North Richland Hills Dentistry offers sedation options to help you feel relaxed while we work. We have nitrous oxide (laughing gas), can provide carefully prescribed oral conscious sedation, or even use IV sedation under close monitoring to keep you comfortable. Let us know if you feel you would benefit from any of these options, and we can go over them in more detail with you.
Dental anxiety is a very real thing that many of our patients suffer from. We never want our patients to skip out on oral health care because of nerves, so talk to us about your options for easing your anxiety. Give us a call or contact us using our online form. We want to help you feel comfortable while getting a great smile!