What is Dental Anxiety? 
Dental Anxiety. A term used to describe fear, anxiety or stress in the dental setting.
Causes of Dental Anxiety
A fear of the dentist is not one size fits all….there can be many reasons why someone may be feeling nervous to go see their dentist.Common reasons
may include:-
- -Previous bad experience
- -Generalised anxiety
- -Needles
- -The drill – fears may be triggered by the sound or vibration of the drill
- -A feeling of invasion of space
- -Embarrassment of the condition of their teeth – this can be associated to guilt about poor dental hygiene or bad breath fears
- -A fear of loss of control
Choosing The Right Dentist
You’re not alone.It can affect many people but we don’t want it to get in the way of your dental care.It is important to choose a dentist who will
listen and acknowledge your fears.If they are empathetic when you are talking to them, it’s likely that they will also be during treatment.
Our dentists here at About Smiles are fully experienced in treating nervous and phobic patients.We take time to understand your fears, be patient, help
you through the more tricky bits and simply help you cope one step at a time.
It is important that you feel comfortable with your dentist before booking any treatments.If you’re not happy, try someone else.We’ll always move at a
comfortable pace for you and never push you further or faster than you want.Your first appointment doesn’t mean your committing to any treatment it
can be as straightforward as an opportunity to get to know your dentist, build that rapport and then discuss treatment options.
The Vicious Cycle of Dental Anxiety
Visiting the dentist and coming along to your exam appointment every 6 months is a choice.You may be telling yourself…easy…I’m just going
to make that choice to not see my dentist.Fear solved. Problem solved. A fear of something usually leads to avoidance….the avoidance can then
lead to the worsening of dental disease, gum disease, a greater need for emergency care or more complex treatment.All of which feed into the underlying
fear and add to the dental anxiety which may have started out small but then escalated out of control which brings us to the “vicious cycle of dental
anxiety”.
We want to help you make you feel your best.A smile……confidence……Let us help you achieve the smile you’ve always wanted.
What We Can Do To Help
Here at About Smiles we have a number of ways to make your dental visit a more pleasurable one including: –
- -Pain free injections using the wand (a computer-assisted system for local anaesthesia)
- -Relaxation techniques
- -Ensuring teeth are completely numb before starting treatment
- -Sedation options
- -Arranging general anaesthesia if necessary for extractions or extensive treatment
- -We don’t use jargon or fancy terminology, we speak your language and make sure you fully understand your treatment options.
- -We have a special aftercare programme where we are with you every step of the way. Before, during and after including a follow up call for more complex
treatment.
TOP TIPS
- –Choose the right dentist, someone that takes the time to listen and cares.Consider a paediatric dentist for your children (https://www.aboutsmiles.com.au/team/dr-caroline-chung)
- –Identify your fear, then you can begin to work towards a solution
- –Take someone with you – maybe a friend or family member?
- –Use sensitive toothpaste such as Sensodyne or Colgate Pro-Relief a few weeks before your hygiene appointment.
- –Deep breathing and meditation
- –Ask your dentist about sedation options
- –Bring in headphones, listen to music or audiobooks during your appointment
- –Come check us out before your appointment.You’re more than welcome to come by and say hello to our friendly team.The girls will be more than happy to show you around.
- –Check us out on our
- Instagram: @aboutsmilesdental
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AboutSmiles/or our website to take a tour of our practice
- https://www.aboutsmiles.com.au/about-us/practice-tour