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Dental anxiety or dental fear is natural, as most people feel anxious and nervous right before visiting the dentist. Dental anxiety is something that many people face. However, it is essential to visit the dentist for routine dental checkups and treatments.

There are many factors that lead to dental anxiety. However, there are solutions that can help you ease your dental fears. For instance, you can talk to your dentist about your fear and discuss ways to help you relax and stay calm in the dentist’s chair. Dentists are concerned about their patients’ comfort and will come up with helpful solutions for you. For example, if you are anxious about needles, you can ask your practitioner to use a topical anesthetic to numb the area before administering a shot. If the sound of a drill makes you cringe, you can request for your treatment to be performed without the sound. You can also ask your dentist about the signals that you can use during your treatment to let her know that you are uncomfortable and need more help.

It is important to communicate your fears to your dentist so she can help you overcome them so can have a pleasant dental experience.

You can also use the tips below to help make your next dental visit less stressful.

Tip #1: Agree on signals with your dentist

It is normal to feel nervous or anxious before dental treatment, and it is understandable if it makes you uneasy. This is why it is beneficial to have a signal you can use to let your dentist know that you need more help or are too uncomfortable to proceed. You can ask your dentist about this ahead of time so you will be prepared the next time you need to use it.

Tip #2: Take a family member or friend with you to keep you company during procedures

Having someone by your side can help you feel less stressed and more comfortable in the dental chair. Plus, the friendly face will keep you distracted from the procedure at hand! 

Tip #3: Bring distractions to occupy your mind during procedures

You can bring headphones and listen to your favorite music or watch a movie on your phone to distract your mind from the procedure. Do this while undergoing any dental appointment to avoid the anxiety caused due to the sound of the drill.

You can also chat with your dentist during the treatment and discuss your concerns with them so that you know what is happening throughout the procedure. Don’t hesitate to raise questions if you have any. This can help ease your tension as you will have a clear idea of what is going on.

Sometimes having a trusted family member or friend at your side can make you feel comfortable and relaxed. They can also be a big help when it comes to complying with your dental care routine at home. Your trusted companion can be a calming force during the procedure as well.

Tip #4: Bring a distraction to keep your mind busy

The sights and smells of the dental office can be very distracting for most people. Therefore, you can bring something that can keep

Tip #5: Ask for sedation dentistry

Consider asking your dentist about sedation options if you feel extremely fearful. Sedation can help many patients relax so they can get the dental care they need without worry.

If you have any questions or want to schedule an appointment, call Old Town Dentistry today at (703) 683-0800.