We understand that visiting the dentist is never going to be at the top of your ‘things to do’ list!
For some of our patients it’s more than apprehension or some discomfort. It can be hugely traumatic. But dental phobia or anxiety is nothing to be ashamed of. And if you do struggle don’t worry – you are not alone! In fact, you are part of the 36% of the population in the US who also suffer from dental anxiety. You might even be part of the 12% who suffer from severe dental phobia.
We understand your fear
At Expertise Dental we don’t take your trepidation, fear, anxiety, or phobia lightly. We know this could stem from any number of issues whether it’s past trauma or negative experiences, embarrassment about dental hygiene or the poor health of your teeth, a fear of needles, injections or sedation or a fear of pain, choking or blood.
We have seen anxious patients with various symptoms such as dizziness, chills, sweating, nausea, trembling, upset stomachs or heart palpitations.
The problem is, the more you postpone your dental visits the worse the fear and anxiety can become. In addition, this can lead to deterioration in the health of your teeth and often result in a greater necessity for emergency or more complicated treatment.
This is called the ‘vicious cycle of dental anxiety.’
So how can we help?
At Expertise Dental we believe you should get the best possible dental care, and that involves ensuring you feel settled and in control at each level of your treatment.
So, before your treatment begins our dentist will chat with you to find out how you are feeling and what concerns you may have. We will discuss all the treatment options and steps with you so you are totally aware of what will happen, why and when.
Our team is experienced and highly skilled in recognizing anxious patients and we are trained in helping you overcome those fears and will only move at a pace that is comfortable for you.
Whatever the cause of your dental anxiety, our compassionate dental team here in Charleston will take good care of your dental and emotional health. We strive to offer superior care to our patients while discovering methods to help them relax during any treatment process and encourage them to seek necessary dental care in the future.
How a Dentist Can Manage Dental Anxiety and Phobia in Patients
Identify patients who have dental anxiety and allow extra time for their visits. Talk to patients and determine their anxiety triggers and create a tailored treatment plan for them.
Your dentist can use several techniques to reduce your fear, which includes:
- Be very gentle.
- Deep breathing.
- Entertainment such as listening to music or watching TV.
- Facial muscle massage.
- Guided imagery.
- Conscious sedation.
Here at Expertise Dental, we want you to feel relaxed and confident – you are in safe hands. We offer conscious sedation.
This sedation is generally used for long or complex procedures.
Due to the relaxing effects of the medication, patients must have a friend or family member bring them to our office and return them home after their procedures.
Our dentists will always listen to your concerns which will help us determine the best dental anxiety solutions to help you look forward to your visit! For further information visit our page here or contact us directly at our office. We are always happy to help.
