Tips to Help You Cope with Dental Anxiety

Regular visits to the dentist's office are very important to maintaining healthy teeth and gums. Yet, some people avoid going to appointments due to dental anxiety. In fact, dental anxiety is an issue that can affect as many as 36% of the population. Dental anxiety can lead you to avoid appointments or allow too much time between scheduled appointments, both of which can lead to new oral health issues or worsening of existing ones.

Loose teeth, shifting teeth, a change in your bite, pain, bleeding gums and bad breath are some of the more common signs and symptoms of dental and oral disease. Lack of regular, professional dental care can increase the risk of dental disease and other oral health problems progressing unchecked and worsening. Tooth decay and gum disease, both common oral health diseases, are easily treated if caught early. Treating dental diseases early often means appointments are shorter and with very little discomfort.

There are many causes of dental anxiety, such as a fear of pain, needles or injection, feelings of helplessness and loss of control, and/or embarrassment and loss of personal space. Rest assured that today, most dental appointments are virtually pain-free thanks to new techniques and dental materials that enable dental treatment to be provided with little discomfort.

Our professional team at Kaydental is here to help you! Our goal is to make your visit as comfortable and stress-free as possible so you can get the proper oral healthcare you need.

Here are just some of the things we do at Kaydental to provide as comfortable and stress-free appointments as possible:

• Private treatment areas, away from other patients
• Nitrous oxide (laughing gas) sedation
• Digital x-rays that are faster and more comfortable than traditional x-rays
• Computerized local anesthetic (freezing) that is much more comfortable than traditional freezing
• Computerized impressions (moulds) for things like orthodontic braces and other dental appliances
• TV in each treatment area
• Offering convenient appointment times that work best for you….early morning or after work or school when you are not rushed and can be more relaxed
• Using a "show, tell, do" approach so there are no surprises
• And finally, a team of professionals who understand dental anxiety and are trained and dedicated to making your visit a positive experience.

Now, here are a few tips that can you can do to help you manage your dental anxiety:

1. Let us know about your anxiety: We can develop a communication plan to use during your treatment to help you feel more comfortable, such as agreeing on a signal to stop if you need to take a break.
2. Don't be afraid to ask questions and share any negative experiences you've had in the past. This will help us understand what might be a source of your anxiety.
3. Prepare ahead to reduce stress: Schedule your appointment during a low-stress time of day, so you're not feeling rushed and stressed out trying to get to your appointment on time. Prepare to arrive a few minutes ahead of time if you can (see below)
4. Use mindfulness techniques before the appointment: Try deep breathing exercises to help relax tension in your muscles, relax your mind and help you feel calmer. Close your eyes and slowly inhale through your nose, hold it for a few seconds, and then slowly exhale through your mouth.
5. Avoid caffeine before a dental appointment and eat high-protein, low-sugar foods to feel calmer.
6. Squeeze a stress ball or play with a small handheld object to help occupy your hands. If you don't have anything on hand, ask for an elastic ball or fidget spinner.
7. Distract yourself: Bring headphones so you can listen to your favourite music or audiobook. Our treatment rooms have a TV with program options to keep you entertained.
8. Ask your dentist about dental sedation options: There are several sedation options, such as nitrous oxide ("laughing gas") or an oral sedative that may help you relax during a procedure. These aren't general anesthesia, so you will remain conscious and responsive but very relaxed during your appointment.
9. Discuss options with our dentists so that together we can determine the best solution for you.

If you have been avoiding recommended oral health treatment because of dental anxiety, contact us and let us know. Remember, we are here to work with you to make your dental experiences more positive with the goal of improving and maintaining your oral health!

Sources:

• American Dental Association: https://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/az-topics/a/anxiety
• Healthline: https://www.healthline.com/health/anxiety/dental-anxiety#treatment-and-coping
• Beaton L, Freeman R, Humphris G. "Why are people afraid of the dentist? Observations and explanations.": https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5586885/