You know you have to visit your dentist regularly for frequent dental checkups. However, scheduling those dental appointments can be hard, not just because of a tight schedule. One out of three people experiences anxiety at the thought of visiting their dentist; sometimes it can be a full-blown phobia. It can be anything: the startling sound of dental equipment, the smell of chemicals, the discomfort of having someone so close to your mouth with scary tools, the lack of control, or, worse, the pain. There might be several reasons that caused your anxiety in the first place. It could be a prior bad experience with a dentist or faulty treatment; anything can be the case. Nonetheless, ignoring your pain or toothache or waiting until it becomes extreme can escalate the situation quickly and may also impact your overall health.

So, if you have a toothache or dental issue, you should visit your dentist without further thought or skimming through videos of the procedure. Overthinking will only create more bizarre ideas in your head. You can go to a nearby dental clinic or a professional general dentist Aliso Viejo who not only has the knowledge but also ample years of experience. 

What is Dental Anxiety?

Dental anxiety is when an individual worries, feels uncomfortable, or is uneasy about going to the dentist or an upcoming dental appointment. An individual with a dental phobia might cancel their dental appointment, become terrified at the thought of the dentist’s image, and even feel sick or vomit. In contrast, a person with dental anxiety may feel terror but ultimately go forward with their appointment as they understand the seriousness of their tooth problem.

Knowing that you fear the walls of the dental clinic and have a serious tooth problem, which, if ignored, could affect your overall health, won’t make your fear go away. However, there are some factual things and tested strategies that may help you cope better.

Strategies to help with your Fear of Dentists:

1. Don’t Get Embarrassed: Not just kids, but adults also fear dentists, and it’s quite common. Don’t think that your provider will judge you or your anxiety. If you feel you should talk to your dentist about your pain, symptoms, past experiences, and, more importantly, your anxiety, then go ahead. If your dentist is aware of your fears, they will try to make you more comfortable and work together to make your dental checkup as relaxed as possible.

1. Ask Your Questions About Treatment: Ask your dentist about the steps involved in a treatment or procedure, how long it will take, and what the steps are. This way, you will be mentally prepared for what’s to come, which will help you cope better.

1. Choose a Time That Suits You: A dental appointment in the morning might help reduce your anxiety. For example, if you schedule your treatment early in the morning, say at 8 AM, you might be done by 8:30 AM, meaning you won’t have too much time to overthink or worry about the visit. It provides a very short time to dwell on exaggerated thoughts and fears about the dentist. You can simply get up in the morning, brush your teeth, and drive to the nearby dental clinic, and that will be all.

1. Sedation, Earbuds, and Stop Signal: You can use earbuds to listen to your favorite songs, which can help you calm down if you are afraid of the screeching voices of dental equipment and tools. Raise your hand as a stop signal while experiencing any pain or discomfort. You can ask the provider to use sedation, numbing gels, or even have a loved one or nurse with you during your treatment.