Dental anxiety is common. At Lovett Dental Sugar Land, we treat people of all ages who are nervous about going to the dentist. We understand that people have fears. It helps to talk about your anxiety before you come in for your appointment. When you let our office know that dental work is difficult for you, we can develop strategies to help you cope. Don’t let the fear of the dentist keep you from getting the dental work you need. Contact Lovett Dental Sugar Land for more information about our dental treatment options.
Dental Anxiety Reduction Strategies
There are several ways you can reduce your dental anxiety. Talk to your dentist about the use of sedation dentistry to get you through a difficult appointment. Sedation is minimal, and you will feel more relaxed during your appointment. Other strategies to reduce your anxiety include:
- Listening to music while you are getting dental work done
- Bringing a friend with you to help you feel more comfortable
- Meditating during your appointment and focusing on deep breathing
- Using medication prescribed by your doctor to reduce anxiety
- Visualizing a calm environment as you take deep breaths
Anxiety can be a problem in many areas of your life. If you are an anxious person, this can make it hard to go to routine dental appointments. You will end up neglecting your oral health if you don’t get your teeth cleaned at least twice a year. Overcome your anxiety by learning coping strategies to ease your mind.
Understanding Your Fears of the Dentist
It may be helpful to know why you are afraid of the dentist in the first place. There are many reasons you might suffer from dental anxiety. Poor treatment from a dentist in the past may leave you hesitant to go to a new dentist. Some common anxiety triggers include:
- Fear of pain that is unexpected
- Fearing the medication used to numb your mouth won’t work
- Fear of losing control
- Fear that you won’t be able to communicate
Many people have a significant fear of going to the dentist. As you identify your triggers, you can work with the dentist to minimize your exposure to these triggers. This practice can mean developing hand signals with the dentist to communicate when you are afraid or waiting a bit longer for the novocaine to work.
Stress Reduction and Coping Techniques
If you worry about the idea of going to the dentist, learn ways to reduce your stress levels. If waiting all day for your appointment makes your stress rise, schedule an appointment early in the day. Give yourself enough time to get to your appointment. Sedation dentistry can make a big difference in your ability to cope with dental work. Even when you are getting your teeth cleaned, your dentist may use sedation to make you more comfortable. Coping strategies can be as simple as deep breathing. You can work with a therapist if you have a real dental phobia.
As you work out your anxiety around going to the dentist, you will discover that appointments become easier. A dental office experienced with nervous people will understand what your needs are. Be honest about your fear so that we can make your dental care easier. Deep breathing, meditation, sedation, and visualization can give you the support you need when you are afraid to go to the dentist.
Get a Dental Cleaning Today
If you are searching for a Houston sedation dentist, it’s time to contact Lovett Dental Sugar Land at 281-759-5900. We will talk to you about your dental anxiety and give you the support necessary for a successful dental appointment. We offer several dental treatment options, including:
- Dental cleanings
- Fluoride treatments
- Dental fillings
- Emergency dental services
- Periodontics treatment
Please schedule an appointment today and let our office know that you are nervous about the dentist.
