Nervous about visiting the dental office? You are not alone! Anxiety causes 9% to 20% of Americans to avoid the dentist, making this a very common concern. However, maintaining your dental health through regular appointments is incredibly important for your overall health. There can be many reasons to feel anxiety about visiting a dental office, whether it stems from a poor experience, nervousness about what to expect, or embarrassment about your teeth. Whatever the root cause, here are some ways to manage your dental office anxiety.
- Look for a dental office that will accommodate your anxiety. Many practices are used to working with patients who are nervous, so ask how they can help alleviate your anxiety! This can be things like having a television or music so that you have something relaxing to focus on, or walking you through a procedure before performing them so that you fully understand what to expect. There are also sedation options available which you can discuss with your dentist.
- Bring someone with you to the dental office. Having someone you love to support you and knowing they will be waiting at the end of the appointment is not only comforting, but will help you relax.
- Ask questions. Do not be afraid to speak up and ask lots of questions either about the practice, your dentist, or about examinations and procedures. Building a rapport with your dental office will go a long way in helping you feel more comfortable with the staff and your dentist.
Don’t forget that you are not alone in having anxiety and that your dental office is happy to talk about how they can help you feel comfortable.
