Helpful Tips to Overcome Fear of the Dentist
Going to the dentist can be frightening, but you’re not alone!
Did you know that approximately 36 percent of the entire population suffers from dental anxiety?
This fear results in exhibiting avoidance behavior and only attends when experiencing significant pain or discomfort.
At Neighborhood Dental, we offer a wide range of options to help soothe your nerves at your next visit.
As a patient at one of seven convenient locations in Sioux Falls, Tea, Harrisburg, Beresford, Yankton, you can rely on our team to provide safe and secure treatments that will leave you smiling!
Whether you had an unpleasant experience as a child or were uncomfortable with the sounds from the tools at Neighborhood Dental, your comfort is our top priority.
What causes dental phobia and anxiety?
Every individual is different, and there are many reasons people experience dental anxiety.
A few of the most common reasons are associating visits with:
- Pain
- Loss of control
- Fear of the unknown
- Embarrassment of current oral health
- Distrustful experiences in the past
You deserve better! The good news is, there IS better out there.
How to relieve dental anxiety?
Rather than putting your next dental appointment on hold, here are ways to minimize your dental nerves:
1. Having a positive attitude going into your appointment
Communicate your concerns:
Don’t hesitate to communicate your concerns to your dentist in Sioux Falls. Our team of professionals can explain any process from start to finish, so you know what to expect
Agree with your dentist on a signal to stop during the treatment for a break (such as raising your left pointer finger or hand)
Building trust with your provider:
Our providers can recommend various techniques to make you feel at ease and comfortable during the appointment
Asking questions about specific tools, treatment, or throughout your visit
2. Having coping strategies
Distractions:
We encourage patients to watch television or listen to music at their appointments
Relaxation:
- Breathing exercises
- Meditation
Nitrous oxide sedation:
Nitrous oxide, also known as “laughing gas,” can be utilized for various treatment procedures or even a simple tooth cleaning, be sure to ask our team about this service at your next visit.
Here at Neighborhood Dental, all of our professionally trained staff will assist you in making your visit the best experience possible.
We take pride in building relationships with our patients as if they were our own family, providing gentle and thorough care, and teaching all patients how to best care for their teeth.
How can my dentist reduce my dental anxiety?
You can be sure to find relaxation services in all of our operating rooms!
Our team will provide you with a list of services we offer to make you feel at ease during your appointment at all of our clinics.
Dental anxiety can affect people of all ages. Here are several coping services that Neighborhood Dental offers to patients:
- Massage chairs
- Heated blankets
- Music
- TV
- Quite rooms
- Stress balls
- Conscious sedation
- Nitrous oxide
High predictability appointments
One of the most effective techniques of anxiety reduction is when patients are anticipating treatment.
An elaborate explanation of the appointment will be told step by step so the patient knows exactly what to expect.
If unplanned events arise, our patients will be informed with plenty of warnings before continuing treatment.
We’ve found that patients are left with a positive effect on dental anxiety and pain when details are thoroughly explained before their appointment.
Modeling treatment
Another tool to manage dental fear includes modeling personalized and high-technology dental treatments.
This technique allows patients to hear and see how other patients have gone through similar treatments.
At any Neighborhood Dental clinic, you can find many reviews on Google and Facebook that provide first-hand experiences from patients who have undergone treatment.
In addition, our teams have access to detailed videos explaining how treatments are performed to help reduce stress and worry.
Preventive care appointments are essential in maintaining your oral health and overall health. By attending regular checkups, our dentists can identify a cavity or other oral-related concerns early, which will put you less at risk of experiencing:
- Gum disease
- Bleeding gums
- Loose teeth
- Bad breath
Rather than postponing your appointments, let our non-judgemental and trustworthy staff provide you with a comfortable and enjoyable dental visit that’ll keep you smiling in and out of the dental chair.
Looking for a local dentist in Sioux Falls with friendly, caring staff that offers a relaxing and comfortable office atmosphere?
Look no further!
Contact us today
At Neighborhood Dental, you’ll be informed and educated every step of the way and have the ability to ask as many questions to get the answers you need to feel comfortable and confident.
What are you waiting for? It’s a new year, and your new smile awaits!
Call, text, or book online today!
Your smile deserves the best, and you’ll get the best at any Neighborhood Dental location.
Or contact your nearest Neighborhood Dental:
- 41st Street Location
- East 26th Location
- West 26th Location
- Tea Location
- Yankton Location
- Beresford Location
- Harrisburg Location
