How to Overcome Your Dental Anxiety [5 Tips and Helpful Videos]
For people with dental anxiety, the prospect of a dentist appointment can be so intimidating that they’d rather suffer through tooth pain in silence than get it treated. Sound familiar?
That’s why our dental team at WildeWood Aesthetic Dentistry is dedicating this post to helping you triumph over your dentist related fears once and for all!
Breaking dental stereotypes
To begin, we must address the stereotype pop culture gives dentists.
Whenever dentists appear in movies and TV shows, we tend to be portrayed in a very over-the-top way – making us seem scary and we promise we are not!
These fictional stereotypes are relics of the pre-World War II era; when anesthetics (numbing agents) were a luxury, not a norm!
But rest assured, anesthetics and high-quality dental care are industry-standard today. This is especially true at our dental office in Columbia, SC.
Don’t be embarrassed: Dental anxiety is normal
If you’ve been struggling with a fear of the dentist, know that you are not alone and it is nothing to feel embarrassed about.
According to the Opens new tab to ADA websiteAmerican Dental Association, 22% of Americans avoid going to the dentist because they are afraid.
However, just because it isn’t uncommon to avoid the dentist, doesn’t mean it’s healthy!
By visitING your dentist for regular, twice-a-year cleanings, you can prevent serious oral (and overall) health problems.
Now, let’s get to the good part:
How to overcome your dental anxiety and start getting the dental care you deserve!
Is sedation dentistry right for you?
Have you heard of sedation dentistry?
Sedation dentistry can finally allow you to relax in the dentist’s chair and take your mind off the tasks at hand. It’s been an effective tool in helping fearful patients receive the dental care they need and want!
Our cosmetic and restorative dentist, Dr. Justin Griffin, offers oral sedation.
This type of sedation uses anti-anxiety medication to tone down your fears and create a sense of calmness. Many of Dr. Griffin’s patients dose off during the appointment and wake up with little to no memory of it, just their new smile!
Watch this short one-minute video to learn more about sedation dentistry in Columbia, SC:
Is sedation dentistry in Columbia, SC your best solution? Let’s find out!
Schedule a consultation to make sure oral sedation is your best option.
Looking for more ways to reduce your dental anxiety? Keep reading!
5 tips on how to overcome your dental anxiety
At WildeWood Aesthetic Dentistry, we love helping people smile and sometimes that starts with helping you overcome your dental anxiety.
So, we want to share 5 tips on how to reduce your dental anxiety during your appointment:
- Communicate: Express your fears so that we can help you be as comfortable as possible. If you’re anxious or worried, let us know! Remember, we are here to help YOU.
- Breathe: Focus on breathing regularly and slowly during dental procedures. If you focus on slow, deep breathing, you can help reduce your stress levels.
- Listen to music: Bring your headphones and favorite tunes to drown out the sounds that can cause panic while in the office.
- Use hand signals: If you feel uncomfortable, communicate with hand signals to indicate if you need to pause or stop the procedure.
- Visit us: Schedule an appointment to meet the team and get comfortable with our office (which is more like a ski lodge and spa). We will show you what stress-free dentistry looks and feels like!
Just remember, we are here to make sure you have the best visit possible.
We want to help you any way we can, so please speak up and let us know how we can accommodate you. This is your visit!
Ready for stress-free dentistry?
Come experience stress and pain-free dentistry at WildeWood Aesthetic Dentistry in Columbia, SC!
The first step is easy: Schedule a consultation.
We will welcome you to our office, introduce you to our team, and help you get used to the facility. And of course, we’ll set aside plenty of time to discuss your fears and smile goals. If you have any questions, be sure to ask us – we want you to feel safe, comfortable, and open with us.
In the meantime, you can get to know more about our Columbia dentist and office in this video:
P.S. If you know someone who could benefit from stress-free dentistry, send them our way! Our services are available to those near Columbia, SC, including Irmo, Lexington, Camden, Blythewood, and Elgin.
We look forward to seeing you!
How to reach us:
- Phone: 803-788-0099
- Email: info@wildewooddental.com
