Does the thought of attending the dentist make you anxious?
A dentist’s job is similar to working in the tiniest garage on earth. If you have strong nerves, you will make it through unfazed. But there are 18% of patients for whom visiting a dentist is no less than a depressive panic attack. Latex-clad hands, the smell of medicines, pin-drop silence, and sharp metallic tools can add to the nervousness. There are other factors too that contribute to this anxious attitude. But the calmer you are the easier will it be for your dentist to treat you.
Despite your restraints, don’t indulge in a tug of war with the dentist. At Riverbend Dental, our team of experts is equipped with the knowledge and skills to ensure each and every procedure goes as smoothly as possible.
Common fears and solutions
Below we have mentioned some worries patients face. We have also mentioned the counter-strategies. Hope they help you too.
->If the prospect of pain makes you uncomfortable, let your dentist know. Maybe he will administer anaesthesia effectively to minimize your pain. If needles make your mind hazy, maybe nitrous oxide will work for you. If nitrous oxide isn’t enough to calm your nerves, dental sedation is the only way out. You will need someone to assist you to and from the dental clinic.
->Most patients get anxious because of previously failed encounters with the dentist. Don’t fret. Not all dentists are the same. Sometimes the overall experience makes you unsettled or repulsed. It’s pretty natural.
Maybe the clinic staff was uncooperative, the hygienist wasn’t doing his job well, or the dentist was insensitive to your concerns. But be patient because every dentist is not the same and it’s not good to hold someone accountable for what others did. Let your dentist know about your reservations. He will surely try to avoid them.
->Most patients are claustrophobic. The thought of getting tied up, unable to move or speak will aggravate their fear. Let your dentist know how you feel in such situations so he may remember to take a break while you take a breather.
->Usually people visit a dentist when their oral problems get out of their hands. By then the problem has seriously aggravated. Their anxiety reaches its peak because they are too shy to open their mouth in front of the doctor. The thought of feeling exposed doesn’t settle well with them. But this condition is beyond normal for dentists as they have seen worse. So relax and let him do his job.
->Visiting a dentist means a hefty bill from the dental clinic. If your health insurance doesn’t cover dental treatments, then this is surely a cause for undue anxiety. Instead of fretting over this, try to work out the problem. Most offices facilitate their employees by drafting a payment plan which is comfortable for them.
If you are experiencing any of these worries, we can help you out. This is an innate response of most patients that we at Riverbend dental can surely cure. Visit us in person and see for yourself the difference we make.