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Dental anxiety is a condition where a person experiences excessive dread or fear when it comes to visiting the dentist. Dental anxiety can range in severity from slight nervousness to a full-blown panic attack.

What Is Anxiety?

Many people experience some level of nervousness before visiting the dentist’s office. This can happen for many reasons, including fear of pain, embarrassment over the state of their oral health, or simple fear of the unknown. But for many people, these feelings of anxiety can be so overwhelming that they cause people to put off or even avoid important dental treatments. That decision can backfire in a number of ways, as delaying treatment can result in serious complications and worsening conditions, causing more stress and worry in the long run. Fortunately, there are ways to ease this fear. Here are some of them:

• Choose the right dental office for your care. Most practices will claim to provide “pain-free” dentistry or offer sedation options, but it’s important to read the fine print and ask questions before moving forward. Not all dentists are created equal, so you’ll want to choose an office that has experience and training in providing patients with a comfortable experience and anxiety relief. If you are suffering from dental anxiety, talk to your dentist about your options!
• Talk to your dentist about your concerns. Your dentist is experienced in helping patients deal with their anxiety and fears. They will be able to talk to you about what might make you nervous, and they may be able to give you tips or tricks to help you cope with it. This will make it easier for you to keep your next appointment because you will have a better idea of what will happen and how to cope.
• One way to help ease fears is with sedation dentistry. Sedation dentistry uses medication to help patients relax during dental procedures. This can help fearful patients overcome that fear and get the necessary care they need. However, it’s important to know that this type of sedation is not right for everyone. The best way to learn what options are available for you may be to schedule a consultation with your dental team to learn more about what they offer and how they can help you feel confident in the care you receive.
• Bring headphones and music to listen to during treatment. If having a dentist work in your mouth makes you extremely anxious, consider bringing some headphones and music to listen to during your treatment. This will help you focus on something else so you won’t feel as focused on the work being done on your teeth.
• Relaxation techniques can help distract your mind from the stressors in your life and allow you to feel calm as you prepare to see your dentist. These methods are most effective when practiced in the days leading up to your appointment so that you’re used to them by the time you sit down in the dentist’s chair.
• Try listening to relaxing music, reading a book or magazine, knitting, coloring, or some other activity that helps you escape the stress. You can practice deep breathing at home to help you feel calmer when you’re at the dentist’s office. Taking a few deep breaths before you walk through the doors can help you feel more at ease as you get prepared to visit the dentist.

To find out more about the dental services offered at Harbor Dental, call (970) 377-2456 or schedule an online consultation. You can also visit us at 2726 Illinois Dr. #101, Fort Collins, CO 80525.