Overcoming dental anxiety

Dental anxiety is characterized as the fear, stress, or anxiety experienced in a dental situation. When an individual has dental anxiety, they may try to delay going to the dentist or forego the visit altogether. Specific triggers such as needles, drills, pain, or even the dentist’s office itself can be associated with dental anxiety. Some people are anxious to go to the dentist due to the pain they might feel while in the chair. Patients can let their dentists know about it to help overcome their nervousness about pain. As a result, one’s dentist may recommend the use of anesthesia or nitrous oxide to help dull the senses. Kami Hoss, MS, DDS, mentions that some patients have had bad experiences with the dentists, causing them fear or distrust dentists. It would be helpful for one to share with the dental staff previous experiences to let them know what caused the trauma, and hopefully, do something about it.

Not being able to talk while a dentist works on one’s mouth can feel like giving up control. Individuals who feel helpless while in a dental chair may let the dental assistant know how they feel about it and offer to raise a hand during the procedure to take a break. Dr. Kami Hoss says that some people are anxious about dental costs. While important, dental appointments can be expensive. It would help to ask the dental manager about payment methods. Most practices offer flexible payment options and even low-cost arrangements. Some patients are ashamed of the status of their dental health, thus skipping trips to the dentist. A patient with compromised oral health must remember that dentists are trained to be unfazed by even the worst dental situations. Kami Hoss, MS, DDS, is the CEO of The Super Dentists, and is a sought-after author, consultant, mentor, speaker, and entrepreneur. Click here for similar reads.]