What is dental anxiety?
Dental anxiety is described as a fear or worry about going to or receiving treatment from a dentist. This can cause patients to put off visiting their dentist or addressing any health concerns in their mouth.
In cases where treatment is needed but has not been taken, it can cause symptoms and issues of the dental condition to get worse. This can perpetuate the cycle of being scared to visit the dentist.
What are some symptoms of dental anxiety?
Dental anxiety can present a couple of symptoms for nervous patients; these are the ones to be aware of:
- Feeling scared, nervous or avoidant when going to the dentist
- Increased heart rate when in the dentist
- Crying or getting worked up when needing to have treatment
- Difficulty sleeping the day before treatment
- Finding breathing may be affected if panicking
Tips to ease your dental anxiety
It’s okay to not feel 100% about going to the dentist, many people experience dental anxiety from one point to another. Expressing your feelings to your dentist is the first of many steps to ensure you get the tailored care you need to feel comfortable and confident.
Easing nerves on the day
Practising mindfulness techniques before and during your treatment is a great way to keep your mind grounded and distracted from negative thoughts or feelings. A great mindfulness exercise is the three-senses technique, identifying sounds, smells, noises and sensations around you. This helps patients remain present and keeps their minds busy.
Using breathing techniques is another great way to relax the body and calm the mind. Breathing in through the nose and out through the mouth prior to the check-up allows you to calm your nervous system so you aren’t so nervous during the appointment.
Talking with your dentist
Establishing boundaries with your dentist as a nervous patient can help ensure you’re happy during your check-ups. For instance, you can provide a social cue which signals to your dentist you need a moment, often the dentist will say Raise your hand if you need a break or You’re experiencing discomfort.
In some cases, nervous patients needing treatment may be able to undergo sedation, so they aren’t awake during the procedure. This ensures the patient is not being stressed out whilst vital dental work is carried out.
What can we do to ease your mind?
At Wimpole Street Dental Clinic, our dentists are attentive and considerate, so any nervous patients should not worry about expressing concerns. Our team of experts are not only highly-skilled but is excellent at explaining treatment without evoking concern in patients.
If you are a nervous patient and are looking for a dentist who truly understands and supports you, we’re here to transform your dental experience into one that feels comfortable and stress-free.