5 tips for dealing with dental anxiety
5 tips for dealing with dental anxiety
Bothell Mill Creek Lynnwood sedation dentistry
Many people fear going to the dentist. Some have had a bad experience in the past, while others are nervous about the possibility of pain. Many people with strong dental anxiety aren’t really sure why they fear the dentist – they just know that they feel terrible at the thought.
Unfortunately, this fear can stop some people from getting the dental care that they need. This can lead to issues like tooth decay, gum disease, broken or cracked teeth, or even missing teeth. It’s important to take care of your oral health, without anxiety getting in the way.
Fortunately, there are effective ways to deal with this problem. Here are 5 tips that may help you to overcome dental anxiety so that you can get the care that you need.
1. Choose your dentist wisely
The first step in becoming more comfortable at the dentist is to choose a dentist who’s friendly and caring. There’s nothing worse than a dentist who coldly rushes through your appointment so they can move onto the next patient. Choosing someone who’s known for caring about their patients will make a big difference. Ask friends and family, or look at reviews to see who’s consistently called “caring” and “friendly.”
2. Don’t go alone
If heading to the dentist is an anxiety-inducing experience for you, then it may help to go with someone you trust. You’re certainly welcome to have a friend or family member in the dentist’s office with you. Knowing that someone you care about is watching out for you could make a huge difference in how you feel at the dentist.
3. Ask questions
For many people, the unknown can be very scary. This can be a huge contributor to dental anxiety. It’s difficult to feel comfortable when you don’t really know what’s about to happen to you. Ask your dentist a lot of questions, so that you completely understand what’s going to happen during your appointment. If your dentist is friendly and open, they’ll be happy to answer any questions.
4. Bring something to listen to
The sound of dental equipment is another contribution to dental anxiety for many people. It can help to have something else to listen to during your appointment. Some people choose music, a podcast, or an audio book to play through earbuds during their appointment.
5. Consider sedation dentistry
An option that can help a lot of people with dental anxiety is sedation dentistry. This involves using medications to help manage anxiety during your dental appointment. There are a few different forms of sedation dentistry, but the most common method that Dr. Mulliken uses is called oral conscious sedation, in which you take an anti-anxiety medication before your appointment. Not all dentists offer sedation dentistry, so if you’re interested, you’ll have to look for a dentist who specifically offers this option.
Bothell Mill Creek Lynnwood sedation dentistry
Dr. Mulliken offers sedation dentistry to his patients here at Mill Creek Dentistry. If you’re interested in this option, we invite you to schedule a consultation using the form below. You can also contact our front desk to schedule. For many patients, sedation dentistry allows them to finally access the dental care that they need, without unnecessary dental anxiety.