How Can I Overcome Dental Anxiety?

November 23, 2019 8:00 am | Published by
Dark-haired man and woman embrace and smile because they have overcome their dental anxiety together Dental anxiety can develop for a variety of reasons, such as: infrequent dental visits as a child; a bad experience at the dentist in the past; dislike of not being able to talk due to having instruments in your mouth; or a fear of pain. Depending on the severity of one’s dental anxiety, this emotional distress can manifest itself through sweaty palms, an elevated heartbeat, panic attacks, trouble breathing, and even fainting spells. Is your dental anxiety preventing you from enjoying a healthy smile? Fortunately, there are ways to overcome your dental anxiety so you can receive the oral healthcare you need. Read on for a few ways you can begin to overcome your dental anxiety and make visiting the dentist a less stressful and more enjoyable experience!

Ways to Overcome Dental Anxiety

There are a few different things that you can try to overcome your dental anxiety:

  1. Talk to Your Dentist Beforehand
  2. If you’re visiting a new dentist, set up a consultation before your appointment to tour the office and chat with the team. If you’ve established some familiarity prior to any dental treatment, you won’t feel quite so nervous since you’re not walking into a completely new situation. Additionally, opening up early about your anxiety will allow your smile team to better tailor their care to your unique needs!

  3. Breathe
  4. Deep breathing can help your body feel a sense of calm and realize that it isn’t in danger. Before you enter your dentist’s office, focus on taking slow inhales through your nose and then slow exhales through pursed lips.

  5. Bring a Friend or Family Member
  6. A trusted friend or family member can help you feel calm and supported during your treatment.

  7. Opt for Sedation
  8. There are various sedation options that can help you feel at ease during your appointment, including nitrous oxide, numbing solutions, and more. At Optima Dental Spa, we offer several sedation dentistry options that can help you remain calm during your visit.

  9. Enjoy Our Relaxing Amenities
  10. Choose a dental office that is patient-centered and modern, such as Optima Dental Spa. To enhance your comfort, we provide premium patient amenities, such as aromatherapy, neck warmers, blankets, movie glasses, noise-cancelling headphones, paraffin wax treatment for your hands, and massaging dental chairs.

Stress Less at Optima Dental Spa

Don’t let dental anxiety hold you back from having a beautiful and healthy smile! Our team at Optima Dental Spa is here to help make your visit with us as relaxing and enjoyable as possible. Contact us today to schedule your next appointment. CONTACT US

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