How to Overcome Dental Anxiety – Techniques that Work

How to Overcome Dental Anxiety – Techniques that Work

For many people, the dentist is something they actively dread. It can range from butterflies in the tummy to a full-blown panic attack on the day of the appointment. Whatever the case, the last thing you want is for fear to stop you from getting the essential support dentists in Manchester provide.

How common is it? Well, an Oral Health Foundation report found that it affects 1 in 3 people, with a significant chunk of those people avoiding going to the dentist altogether. The thing is, you don’t have to simply live with it.

It is possible to overcome dental anxiety. You just have to find a way that works for you. In this article, we look at real, workable techniques you can use to feel more settled and in control when you sit in the chair.

Why Do People Get Nervous at the Dentist?

Why do people get nervous about going to the dentist? It’s rarely for no reason at all. Someone might be a nervous patient because of a general perception of what happens at the dentist during things like composite fillings and crowns, i.e. injections, poking around and drilling.

However, for others, it might be something completely different that drives the fear of getting their teeth looked at or worked on.

• Bad Dentist Experiences – A difficult or painful dentist appointment can stay with you for a long time. Even routine appointments like dental check-ups and hygienist visits can negatively influence how you see the dentist.
• Fear of Pain or Discomfort – Dentistry has changed enormously in the last 40 years, but pain is still one of the biggest triggers for people. You hear the words root canal and there’s a natural assumption that it’s going to hurt, when the truth is overwhelmingly quite different.
• A Lack of Control – When you lie back in the chair, it’s normal to feel like you’re putting yourself in the hands of the dentist, meaning you’ve not got much control over what happens from there.

It can be genuinely unsettling for some people, particularly with longer treatments like dental implants, but again, your dentist will be constantly checking you’re ok throughout.

• Embarrassment or Fear of Judgement – For some, the anxiety isn’t really about the treatment at all. It’s about feeling judged or embarrassed in front of others. This can be even more pronounced if you’ve left it a bit too long between check-ups and there’s an issue.

Your dentist sees all kinds of people and won’t judge you, regardless of your circumstances. Invariably, they just want to help.

You might need to have overcome dental anxiety for a whole host of reasons, but when you understand your triggers, it can make it a whole lot easier to come up with ways to minimise the worry you might have.

So, How Do I Overcome Dental Anxiety?

While there’s no magic wand you can use to overcome dental anxiety, there are things you can do to dial things down a notch or two and make everything feel less worrying. You need to think about the techniques below as being part of a larger anxiety-relief toolkit you can dip into when needed.

As the table below shows, there’s plenty you can do before and during your dentist appointments to feel more relaxed.

Getting on top of dental anxiety is usually a gradual process, and that’s fine, as it doesn’t need to be solved in one visit. If you would like to know more about sedation, our article explains more about what’s involved.

Don’t Let Fear Ruin Your Dental Health

Ultimately, we’re here to say that no one should have to choose between oral health and fear. Just by sharing your worries with your dentist, you’ll do a lot to ensure that your appointments are smooth and worry-free. What’s more, our team is well-versed in helping people overcome dental anxiety.

At Ringway Dental, we see nervous patients every day, so we understand that the fear is very real. That’s why we always go at your pace, explain things clearly and constantly check that you’re ok.

If you’ve been putting things off, there’s no time like the present to get in touch with our team or book an appointment online. We’ll work hard to make sure you end up glad that you did.

FAQs for Nervous Patients

Q – How do I know if I need sedation for dental treatment?

A – It’s usually reserved for people who have severe anxiety – the kind that might make treatment feel scary, rather than just uncomfortable. Your dentist will discuss whether it’s suitable with you.

Q – Are modern dental treatments less painful than they used to be?

A – In the main, they are. The science develops every day and thanks to better anaesthesia, training and equipment, it’s considerably more comfortable than it was in years gone by.

Q – Can I spread my treatment over multiple appointments?

A – Absolutely. By spreading your treatment over 2 or 3 appointments, it means each one will be shorter and less daunting. It’s easily arranged.

Q – What if I panic during the appointment?

A – Raise your hand and everything will stop. You won’t be expected to push through it either. Taking a moment to settle is completely normal, and any good dental team will be prepared for it.

Q – What happens if I arrive and just can’t go through with it?

A – You can stop at any point, no questions asked. Dentists who regularly treat nervous patients understand that some days are harder than others, and they’ll work with you to figure out a pace that feels doable.

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