I’m Scared of the Dentist: 8 Essential Tips for Coping With Dental Anxiety

20/11/2024

I’m Scared of the Dentist: 8 Essential Tips for Coping With Dental Anxiety

Being scared of the dentist may form the punchline of many jokes, but if it’s something you’ve experienced, you’ll know there’s nothing funny about it. Fear of dentists or dental treatments affects a large proportion of the population, with anxiety levels ranging from manageable to severe. If you experience severe phobia, it can impact your mental and physical health. 

Avoiding routine checkups is one thing, but over time, dental issues will emerge, and without care, they will worsen. This brings pain and further anxiety while impacting the appearance of your smile and putting your general health at risk. 

So, what can you do if your fears make attending essential appointments impossible?

In this guide, we’ll share eight tried and tested tips for managing and even overcoming dental phobia. 

1. Identify Your Fears

Dental anxiety varies from person to person. The underlying causes and triggers of your anxiety may differ from those of someone else. Sometimes, you might not know what you’re scared of or where the fear came from. But it’s very helpful to know. 

If possible, try to identify your specific fears. For example, you may experience one or more of the following:

• Fear of pain and discomfort
• Worries about giving up control
• Discomfort around potentially gagging
• A dislike of the sounds and smells in a dental clinic
• Fear of specific tools or needles

2. Talk To Us

Our dentists are here to help you maintain your oral health, and we want you to feel comfortable around us. We can be your greatest ally in fighting your fears. 

Make an appointment to see us. We can discuss your fears and find ways to help you feel more at ease during your checkups or treatments. 

3. Visit When It’s Quiet

We know how challenging it is to come for an appointment when you’re scared. Even though we do everything we can to create a relaxing environment, we know waiting when you feel stressed can feel overwhelming. 

Speak to our supportive team and let them know you’re anxious about your visit. We’ll find a suitable quiet time for your appointment. 

4. Bring a Friend

Having someone familiar with you can help you regulate difficult emotions. Bring a family member, partner, or friend to your appointment. Not only can they keep you company in the waiting area before your appointment, but if needed, they can be there for you when you’re in the dental chair. 

5. Use Noise-Cancelling Headphones

For some people, lots of noise can be overwhelming. Noise-cancelling headphones can remove some of the stress while also providing a distraction. Consider listening to some of your favourite music or an audiobook or podcast. 

6. Use Distractions

While waiting for your appointment and during any treatments, it’s easy to become overwhelmed by worst-case scenarios. Distractions can help calm the “what-ifs.”. 

Puzzles, books, magazines, and fidget toys are all useful ways to occupy your mind and manage anxiety. 

7. Practice Mindfulness and Grounding Techniques

When your mind is racing, your body will enter fight-or-flight mode. This is your central nervous system’s way of preparing you to respond to a scary situation. Along with the racing heartbeat and tense muscles, you’ll often experience anxiety. 

Slowing your heart rate and breathing down will help reduce anxiety. There are several ways to do this, but one of the most effective is to slow your breathing with controlled deep breaths. Breathing in over four or five seconds, holding your breath for the same, and breathing out over four or five seconds several times will gradually put you in a more relaxed state. 

If you need to take a break to breathe, let us know. We’ll do everything we can to help you notice the signs you need to do this, too.

Grounding techniques are also helpful, as they distract you from stressful thoughts. Scanning your body to see how it feels or identifying things in your environment helps you stay present and reduce feelings of panic. 

8. Consider Further Support

Phobias are very real and should be taken seriously. The tips mentioned above can help you so far, but if you’re still struggling, there are steps you can take to get further support. 

You could speak to your GP. They may be able to provide anxiety medication to help you through treatments. A professional therapist can also help you learn new ways to reframe and overcome your fears. 

Compassionate Dental Care in Sheffield

We care about your experience and want you to enjoy stress-free appointments and a lifetime of happy smiles. If you have dental anxiety, our caring team can work with you to overcome your fears. 

Contact us today to book your next appointment.

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