Many patients have a fear of dentists, no matter what their age and are always finding ways to try and calm themselves before they visit the dentist. The overwhelming state of mind during dental appointments can be a common cause of anxiety. However, the reality is very different. The comfort, relaxation and happiness of the patient are planted deep at the heart of any good dental practice. 

Signs and symptoms of dental anxiety

People with dental anxiety may experience:

• sweating
• racing heartbeat (tachycardia) or palpitations
• low blood pressure and possible fainting (syncope)
• visible distress, crying or signs of panic
• withdrawal, or using humour or aggression to mask anxiety.

Some anxious people will routinely miss or avoid dental appointments and may find it difficult to undergo dental treatment regardless of whether it is simple or complex.

Going to the dentist, getting preventive care, and addressing issues are critical to your overall health. Letting your dental phobia hold you back from going to the dentist or getting recommended treatments can lead to negative consequences like;

• Discoloured teeth
• Chipped, breaking, and cracked teeth
• Gum disease
• Cavities and tooth decay
• Tooth loss

Not to mention all the symptoms and risk factors for various other dental-related issues (like TMJ, sleep apnea, and even oral cancer) can go undetected and cause a lot of problems in the future.

Pain-Free Dentistry: Is it a Fact or Fiction?

Because of the nature of dental procedures, people might think that there is no way that dental treatments can be pain-free. 

There are many ways to help people manage dental anxiety or phobia. It is important to let our team know if you experience any level of dental anxiety. Open discussion around the individual triggers of anxiety can help us work with you to tailor a management plan for you. 

 

How we manage dental anxiety in our practice-

With the recent advancement in dentistry, we are now able to provide a pain-free and comfortable experience to our patients. 

Here are some of the ways that we use in our practice to get rid of the pain and anxiety :

Lasers: Laser treatments have been an essential part of dentistry in the present. Laser treatments are commonly used for soft tissue procedures such as gum surgeries. In the past, patients get nervous and anxious at the sight of the knife used for dental surgeries. But with laser surgeries, there is now less blood, less pain and fewer reasons for anxiety.

Laughing Gas Sedation/Conscious Sedation: Nitrous oxide, or laughing gas, is used to manage pain and anxiety in dentistry. It is an effective way to help the patients to relax and be comfortable during dental treatment and remain conscious through their procedure. Laughing gas is administered through inhalation, and this method is effective for both children and adults.

Use numbing gels/ topical anaesthetic sprays to numb the area before inserting local anaesthetic.

Apart from using pain-free technology to make your experience a comfortable one, our practice incorporates the following relaxation techniques:

• Comfortable and calming clinic environment 
• Meditation room for a peaceful experience 
• Distraction (we drown out the noise of the drill by playing calming music; mask the dental operatory smell with pleasant automatic air fresheners, relieve anxiety with stress balls)
• Using signals during the procedure: signal to stop during the treatment for a break (such as raising your left pointer finger or hand)

 

What you can do to beat dental anxiety-

The importance of oral care shouldn’t hold you back from regular checkups and cleanings. Still, it’s not easy for everyone to simply go to the dentist.

Some of the ways to reduce anxiety during dental visits are:

 

• Share your fears

Being transparent about your fears with your dentist allows you to get an overview of the entire procedure to build in the trust and confidence that helps you calm your nerves.

• Plan your dental appointment

Make sure to schedule an appointment on a day when you won’t be busy or in a rush to get somewhere directly after. This allows your body to relax.

• Consume your foods well

Before your appointment, try to avoid foods containing too much sugar or caffeine as they may make you more jittery and contribute to your nerves. Instead, try something that has calming properties, like high-protein foods. 

 

• Practice Meditation

Combat your feelings of anxiousness and nervousness by practising deep breathing exercises, progressive muscle relaxation.

Yoga and meditation might help calm your nerves before your appointment. Remembering to breathe is a primary element to staying calm and relaxed during a procedure or routine cleaning. 

• Try to avoid skipping appointments

The fear of what could go wrong with your teeth may prevent you from feeling at ease coming to the dentist. When you visit your dentist every six months, there will be fewer instances where you’ll feel anxious or nervous

Every day we see many patients who suffer from a fear of the dentist or face dental anxiety. The fear of dentists is very common. It is important to enlighten the dental team of your concerns so we are aware and can make the process go more smoothly for you. We provide you with high-quality care and expertise and not just to make you feel conscious or insecure about your teeth or any other issues. 

But for some people, these fears come in the form of dentophobia; also called odontophobia. Like any other phobia, this is the extreme when it comes to the fear of objects and situations. For people, in this case, dentophobia is the “extreme” fear of going to the dentist whereas, at Complete Dental Solution, our team takes pride in making the patients feel comfortable before, during, and after a routine checkup or more involved procedure. The staff at the practice will do whatever they can to reduce anxiety, soothe fears and provide painless, quick treatments.