How To Help Your Dental Anxiety – Simple Tips, Techniques, And Recommendations

Dental anxiety is extremely common. Most people don’t enjoy going to the dentist, and it’s been estimated that up to 36% of people suffer from some level of dental anxiety, with up to 12% experiencing severe dental fear.

If you have dental anxiety, you may be wondering how you can overcome your fear and get the dental care you need in Terre Haute. Here are a few tips and recommendations from the team at Vivid Smiles!

1. Find The Right Dentist

First, it’s important to take the time to find the right dentist, especially if you have dental anxiety due to negative dental experiences in the past. No two dentists are alike, and some are better than others when it comes to treating anxious patients.

So take the time to look at reviews of different dentists in Terre Haute, read testimonials, and review their credentials to find a dentist who will offer the gentle, caring, and friendly dental treatment that you need.

2. Identify Your Triggers – What Makes You Anxious?

It can be helpful to take the time to identify the triggers that make you anxious. There are a lot of different things that can cause dental anxiety, such as:

• The sound of dental drills
• The sights and smells of a dental office
• Feelings of embarrassment about your oral health
• Feelings of loss of control
• Fear of pain and discomfort
• Fear of needles

Being able to identify your triggers will help when it’s time to see a dentist, since you can talk about the specific things that make you nervous or anxious.

3. Have A Conversation With Your Dentist Before You Schedule An Appointment

Before you even schedule a teeth cleaning with your new dentist, you should ask to meet with them to discuss your fear and anxiety. Having a conversation about your fear with a dentist can be really helpful in managing anxiety.

You can tell your dentist about your fears and your triggers, and they can adjust your treatment plan to keep this in mind.

For example, if you don’t like the sound of a dental drill, your dentist could provide you with headphones to listen to music or a podcast. Or, if you don't like the bright lights used to illuminate your mouth, you can bring a blindfold or wear sunglasses to make yourself more comfortable.

4. Focus On Your Breathing During Your Appointment

Fear and anxiety tend to make us take shallow breaths, which can worsen feelings of panic. During your appointment, try to focus on your breathing.

Take long, deep breaths in through your nose and breathe out of your mouth. This helps you relax and de-stress, and can also help distract you from your dental procedure.

Need An Anxiety-Friendly Dentist In Terre Haute? Come To Vivid Smiles!

At Vivid Smiles, Dr. Paruchuri and Dr. Sahai are both experienced, friendly, and patient-focused dentists. We take great pride in providing approachable dental care, even for patients who may have dental anxiety, or who may have had bad dental experiences in the past.

So don’t wait. Get the dental care you need in Terre Haute without fear and anxiety. Contact Vivid Smiles online or call us at (812) 803-2340. Schedule an appointment, see how we’re different, and get the dental care you need in Terre Haute without fear, anxiety, or judgment.