Dental anxiety is common among patients of all ages. Feelings of fear or anxiousness often come with visiting a dentist due to the unknown or the potential for pain. Thankfully, modern-day medicine and dentistry have allowed for the evolution of anti-anxiety tools to help patients manage and overcome their fears.
Dental anxiety, in particular, can be managed in a number of ways, however, not every option is suitable for everyone. It is important to talk with a dentist about dental anxiety prior to undergoing any procedures or appointments to ensure that there is a plan in place. Having a plan in place will help avoid surprises or potential anxiety attacks later on down the line.
The following information can be useful for someone who suffers from feelings of fear or anxiousness regarding going to the dentist. Keep reading to learn more!
One of the most common in-office solutions for dental anxiety is a medication administered by the dentist that helps patients to feel more relaxed and less anxious about their appointment or procedure. While these medications do have to be administered by a dentist, it is important to consult with a doctor too. Doctors can prescribe something that may not interfere with any other medical conditions.
A simple way that patients can manage and overcome dental anxiety is by talking with the dentist about the procedure or appointment. Dentist offices are staffed with dentists, dental hygienists and even dental assistants. Each of these team members can walk the patient through their appointment or procedure so that the patient knows exactly what to expect.
A lot of feelings of anxiousness or fear come from the unknown. Some procedures allow the dentist to talk through each step with the patient so that they know what is going on at every point in time. Being aware of what is happening can be quite helpful in reducing dental anxiety.
Another way that a dentist's office can help patients overcome dental anxiety is by practicing breathing exercises. Oftentimes when patients experience fear or anxiety, they may have difficulty breathing. Dentists and assistants can help patients focus on their breathing patterns to help maintain steadiness. Deep, steady breaths are known to help reduce anxiety and panic, which can be helpful for patients feeling worried or afraid.
Another option for dental anxiety is to listen to music. A lot of dentists are okay with their patients bringing in headphones to listen to music during the procedure or appointment. Certain music can be comforting while feeling afraid or nervous.
There are a lot of ways that dental anxiety can be managed and overcome. Working with a dentist to come up with a few anti-anxiety options can be helpful for dentist appointments and procedures. Reach out today to learn more or to get started with dental anxiety management tools.
Request an appointment here: https://www.gatewaydental.org or call Gateway Dental Dr. William Swann DDS at (301) 485-7492 for an appointment in our Bowie office.
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