Dentophobia is the fear of dentists, a condition affecting over 30 to 40 million Americans. Unfortunately, you’re not alone, and fortunately, there are tips you can incorporate to deal with dental anxiety.

Don’t let your dental phobia hold you back from achieving that sparkling and healthy smile. Think about what you’re inviting by shying away from a dentist, such as:

• Discolored teeth
• Gum disease
• Chipped, cracked, and breaking teeth
• Cavities and tooth decay
• Gum recession

Not to talk about oral cancer and other dental issues that often go undetected and untreated. It’s risky not to get regular dental checkups, so it is vital to deal with your dental anxiety.

Identify your fear

Before you begin, you need first to identify your fear. You aren’t afraid of the dentist; perhaps you’re scared of the chair or embarrassed about the condition of your teeth. It could also be a bad experience in the past that traumatized your mindset on dental health.

The fear emanates from loss of control or fear of the unknown to many others. They can imagine sitting back on a dental chair with a face looking down at you. Your fear of the dentist could be because you’re afraid of pain.

Face your fears, move past them

When you identify your fears, you need to buckle up and face them head-on. You’re capable of so much more, and you can’t tap into that uniqueness if you don’t embarrass discomfort for a while.

Yes, it’s not going to be easy sitting on that chair and getting stuff shoved down your mouth. Sometimes you even feel as though your teeth are the worst ever. Sorry to burst your bubble, but your dentist doesn’t care how bad your teeth are, but rather how they can be improved.

They have seen the worst compared to yours, so you have nothing to feel embarrassed about. However, when you’re finally ready to move past your fears, you must find the right dentist.

The right dentist

Your dentist can make a whole lot of difference when it comes to your overall experience. So, look for a dentist you’ll feel more comfortable with. In addition, your dentist must offer a friendly and caring staff. You can also check reviews from past clients, including the clinic surroundings. 

When you visit your dentist, let them know about your anxiety, which will help them better take care of you.

If you have extreme anxiety, your dentist will consider using a sedative that is appropriate for you to relax. For example, we might decide to use nitrous oxide (laughing gas) or a sedative drug to decrease anxiety to the minimum. Feel free to give us a call to book an appointment or use the contact form.