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How to Address Dental Anxiety

Going to the dentist or a doctor can be a frightening experience that provokes a lot of anxiety. Going in and seeing the lab coats, gowns, and smocks, hearing the sounds, and smelling the office can produce a lot of fear and worry in some patients. Whether the patient is a child or an adult, it is perfectly natural to feel anxiety about going to the dentist. Will I have a cavity? Will I need a root canal? Oh, this will be so painful! I don’t want anyone to look around in my mouth! These are all thoughts that might be racing through your mind during the time leading up to your dentist appointment. So, for this week’s blog, we will spend a little bit of time addressing dental anxiety and how you can, if not overcome it, at least make it more manageable.

Find the Right Dentist

Each dentist has their own strengths and weaknesses, which will allow that dentist to work well with a particular patient demographic. Some work well with children, some work well with adults, and some work well with patients who have specific anxieties around going to the dentist. So, before you schedule an appointment, shop around online. Read reviews, maybe even search “dentist for patients with anxiety” or some similar search term, and see if you can find anything that yields results. As you will see by searching online, there are some dentists out there who are mindful of dental anxiety and some who are not - and you will want to see a dentist who is.

Talk to Your Dentist

If you have anxiety about going to the dentist, you need to talk to your dentist about it. If this anxiety has prevented you from seeing the dentist for perhaps years, it is a conversation that you need to have before you go in for an appointment. However, you might think it is challenging to have this conversation, to open up to your dentist about your anxiety. If that is too difficult, perhaps try talking to a friend or a family member first about your concern. That might help you get over your fear of talking about your anxiety. Your dentist should know about your anxiety, as it might affect the quality of the treatment.

Bring a Friend or Family Member

Bringing a friend or a family member to the dentist can be a great way to alleviate some of the dental anxiety you might have. Having them there can significantly support you during this challenging experience. However, it is important that you clear this with your dentist - as they may be a little surprised to see you bring a friend along into the office. This is why it is so important that you have this frank conversation with your dentist. Rest assured that Dr. Julie Liberman of Great Neck Dental Care can help you rest easy during your visit to her office. If you have anxiety around the dentist, please reach out, speak to her, and she will accommodate your needs as best she can.