We are well aware that we are not everyone's favourite place to visit. It is no secret that many people break out in a cold sweat at the thought of having to come to the dentist. This can be for several reasons but is most likely due to a childhood incident that has left the patient traumatised. Few people look forward to a spell in the dentist chair but serious anxiety prevents millions of people from seeking proper preventative dental care that they need.

The consequences go far beyond dental pain or lost teeth. Gum disease is a serious infection that can affect other parts of the body. Studies now link gum disease to many other further health problems such as heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. Fortunately, with today's technology, dentists are specially trained in handling fearful patients and a variety of methods and treatments are available to reduce pain and alleviate the fear of the dentist.

You may ask, what can I do to overcome my fear of dental appointments? Here are some steps that may help you to overcome your dental phobia.

1. Be Aware That Your Fear of the Dentist is Normal

There is no reason to be ashamed or embarrassed by your fear of the dentist. Do not be embarrassed to express your fear and phobia. It is our job to make you feel as comfortable as possible and we will take the necessary measures to ensure we do so. We suggest visiting the dentist on a 6 monthly basis to maintain good oral health. Not going to the dentist regularly can lead to cavities, abscesses, broken or missing teeth, and bad breath. This could lead to more invasive dental visits down the track.

2. Figure Out the Cause of Your Fears

Fear is often learned through experience or memory. Identifying the sources of your dental phobia can help you get into the proper frame of mind to start overcoming your phobia. If you are unable to identify a specific experience that is the source of your fear, it may be a dental horror story from a friend or family member. Thinking about the source of your dental phobia can help you gradually overcome the fear. Simply acknowledging your fears may be the only thing you need to overcome them.

3. Write Out Your Specific Fears

We understand that you may be reluctant to admit that you have a phobia when visiting us. It may help to write out a list of what is causing you anxiety. You may not even be aware of your specific fears until you actually begin to think about them. If it helps, bring this list to us and we may be able to explain rationally what is causing your dental anxiety. For some patients, it might be a past traumatic dental experience, personal space fear, fear of loss of control, or even existing mental disorders such as anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder.

4. Acknowledge That Dental Procedures Have Improved Greatly

Before you take concrete steps to visit us it is important to understand that dental procedures have improved greatly in recent years. Understanding improvements in dental treatments may help alleviate your fears. There are many new methods for treating all sorts of dental issues. We also like to burn candles in our office which takes away that clinical smell of a dental setting and helps put you at ease.

5. Locate the Right Dentist For You

The best way to find the right dentist for you is through family and friends and through booking an initial dental appointment with a dentist to see if he/she is right for you. Let the receptionist know that you are a nervous patient and he/she will be able to book you in with the dentist who is most appropriate in dealing with anxious patients.

6. Try Sleep Dentistry

With sleep dentistry, you don’t have to put up with dental fear and anxiety. There are a few different methods of sedation. Conscious sedation is commonly used in dentistry. Unlike general anaesthetic, which can only be carried out in a hospital, the patient is awake during the procedure. This allows you to remain relaxed whilst your dental procedure is carried out.

7. Seek Help From a Registered Health Practitioner

If your fear of the dentist is preventing you from receiving dental treatment or checkups, it might be a good idea to seek help from a registered psychologist or counsellor to help you manage your dental anxiety. There is a range of methods they can use to help you overcome your dental phobia. Including cognitive behavioural therapy, hypnotherapy, and other relaxation techniques.

8. Practice Mindfulness and Meditation

Meditation can help put your body into a relaxed state and put your mind at ease whilst in the dental chair. You can practice mindfulness and meditation in a variety of ways. Some people like to practice deep breathing, others may prefer to use guided meditation apps.

9. Distract Yourself

If need be, bring your phone along to your dental appointment. Something as simple as playing your favourite music is enough to relax and distract you from the procedure.

Consider taking a friend or family member to accompany you to your appointment. He/she can help to distract you from a procedure, and also may be able to calm you. If you are extremely nervous, ask your dentist if your friend or family member can accompany you into the treatment room. Having someone with you that you trust can also help to relax you.

10. Schedule an Appointment with Cambridge City Dental

Meeting and discussing your dental health and fears with a dentist can help you to feel more comfortable. At Cambridge City Dental, we are trained to make you feel comfortable in the dental chair and understand that many patients do have anxieties. If there is anything you are unsure about or may not understand about your dental treatment we recommend that you ask all the questions you need. Lastly, let us know what we may be able to do to make you more relaxed during your visit.

The foundation of any good dentist-patient relationship is effective communication. Talking to your dentist before, during, and after your procedure can help to minimise your fears. We will explain the procedure to you before we begin treatment in terms that you will be able to understand. Again if there is anything you do not understand we encourage you to ask.

Don’t let Dental Anxiety Prevent You From Dentist Visits

Many patients avoid the dentist due to fear. By coming in for regular checks and cleans and making sure you adopt good oral hygiene habits you'll not only overcome your fear of the dentist but will minimise the risk of developing serious dental complications. The more often you visit the dentist and have a positive experience, the more likely you will be to return. If at any time you begin to feel uncomfortable raise a hand to let the dentist know you need a break.

At Cambridge City Dental, we offer a wide variety of services in general dentistry, cosmetic dentistry, implant dentistry, Invisalign, family general dental and restorative dentistry. Book your appointment online or call us on (08) 9382 8266.