Tips To Ease Your Dental Fear

Dental anxiety can stem from many things, including a fear of the unknown or a negative past experience at the dentist’s office. If you suffer from dental anxiety, you’re far from alone. People with dental anxiety often keep their fears to themselves for fear that their dentists will think them silly. However, it’s important to tell your dentist about your anxiety so that they can work with you to make your appointment as pleasant as possible. Use these tips to help ease your dental fears.

• Don’t be afraid to tell your dentist about your fears. They may be able to ease some of your concerns by explaining certain aspects of dental care to you. Discuss the sedation methods they offer as well to ensure that you’ll be able to relax during your procedure.
• Choose the right time of day for your appointments. Try to avoid scheduling procedures first thing in the morning when you may be feeling rushed or exhausted. Instead, schedule your appointments for a later time in the day when you’re likely to be in a better mood.
• Bring headphones and music to listen to while you’re in the waiting room. Listening to music is a great way to take your mind off of your upcoming appointment and calm yourself down. 
• Get sedation dentistry. If you have avoided the dentist due to your fear of dental procedures, you must consider getting anxiety-free dental treatment from your dentist. Sedation dentistry involves using medication to relax a patient before a procedure. Many patients choose to get oral sedation so that they can get quality dental work done and they can relax during their procedure. More advanced forms of sedation dentistry are available as well. Talk to your dentist about your options so that you can find which option is best for you.
• Ask a loved one to tag along to your dental visits. Having a trusted friend with you can help you to feel more relaxed during your visits. Your loved one can also help you to remember all of the instructions that your dentist gives you so that you don’t feel lost or confused while you’re there.
• If you get nervous during dental cleanings and exams, try bringing a distraction to help keep you calm. A fidget toy can be a great tool for keeping your hands busy, so you can concentrate on something other than the work that’s being done on your teeth.

To learn more, please schedule an appointment online or call us at (480) 838-8558 and have a consultation with Dr. Christopher Payne. We will be happy to help.