Dental anxiety can be paralyzing, quite literally. For some, the thought of a trip to the dentist can be enough to keep you under the covers, afraid to come out and face the light of day. For others, the idea of time in the dentist chair can cause nausea, headaches, and more. But if you have dental anxiety, you don’t have to feel stuck. There are plenty of coping techniques that can help you make it through a dental cleaning or dental procedure. And when you see the best family dentist, you may even find that your dental anxiety will begin to diminish over time.
Common Causes of Dental Anxiety
Dental anxiety is a common ailment, but it doesn’t need to stop you in your tracks. Before we share how you can cope with your dental anxiety, let’s discuss the common causes of this condition. Dental anxiety can be caused by:
- A past traumatic dental experience.
- Trauma to the neck or head.
- Previous traumatic experiences, including abuse.
- Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), or mental illness.
- Claustrophobia.
- Fear of loss of control.
- Issues putting trust in someone else.
- Feeling that access to the mouth is an invasion of personal space.
- Anxiety associated with agoraphobia (fear of being in situations where you feel you cannot escape), or obsessive-compulsive disorder.
When someone suffers from dental anxiety, they may also exhibit common worries about pain, discomfort, bad experiences, loss of control, embarrassment, or financial anxiety. But we’re here to tell you that you can cope with your dental anxiety, and the team at Steven A. Lang, DDS, can help.
Coping Techniques for Your Dental Anxiety
If you are one of the thousands of adults out there who suffer from dental anxiety, you should know that you are not alone. However, you should also know that your trip to the dentist will be easier when you practice the right dental anxiety coping technique. One of the most important things you can do is share your concerns with your dentist. When you and your dental care team are on the same page, it will make it far easier to create a safe, comfortable, and pain-free trip to the dentist.
Check out this list of additional techniques to help you prepare for your trip to the dentist.
- Bring a friend to sit with you and keep you distracted.
- Conjure up happy images while you are in the dentist chair.
- Ask your dentist and dental assistant questions to help alleviate your worries.
- Ask for a periodic timeout by raising your hand or signaling your dentist that you need a break.
- Practice deep breathing.
- Talk to your dentist about sedation dentistry or other safe medications that can help you relax during your dental procedure.
Modern dental technology provides a more comfortable dental visit.
With today’s modern dental technology, trips to the dentist are faster and easier than ever. Dr. Lang is well-versed in comfort dentistry and has plenty of tricks up his sleeve to make you feel more comfortable. From soft-tissue lasers and DIAGNOdent (making it easier to find cavities) to digital dental photography and the intraoral camera, Dr. Lang can get a good look at your teeth quickly and painlessly, making it that much easier to determine the right oral care dental treatment for you. Not only does dental technology make you more comfortable in the dental chair, but dental technology can improve your smile, too, making it an excellent solution for those with dental anxiety who want a healthier smile.
In addition, the Guru 5 Dental Education System is a series of short, easy-to-understand clinical animations that you can watch before your visit. These short films cover a wide variety of dental topics, and by watching these accessible simulations, you can better understand the procedures Dr. Lang performs. And, as we all know, knowing is half the battle.
Don’t let your dental anxiety keep you from the dentist.
If you are searching for the “top dentist in Middletown, Ohio,” for toothache pain relief, but you are concerned about your dental anxiety, then look no further. Dr. Lang is known as the top dentist in the Middletown, Ohio, area, and is ready to help ease your dental anxiety woes. Request an appointment using our simple online form, and we’ll be in touch to get your appointment scheduled.
During your visit, Dr. Lang and the dental team will spend extra time with you to better understand your dental anxiety, causes, and symptoms. Your trip to the dentist shouldn’t be painful, and with open communication, your dental visit can be comfortable, safe, and pain-free. We’re here to make sure that you have a great experience so that you can protect your smile and enjoy good oral health today and in the future.