I’m Scared of the Dentist But Need Treatment — What Can I Do?

It’s common to feel anxiety when faced with going to the dentist. Some people simply feel a bit of dread when booking their appointment, and others may avoid going to the dentist all together because of their fear. If your heart races at the mere thought of going to the dentist, you are not alone.

At The Point Dental, we understand better than anyone that overwhelming dental anxiety can prevent you from getting the treatment you need, but it doesn’t have to be that way.

This blog will explore what dental fear looks like and will discuss strategies designed to ease any anxiety related to a dental visit. 

What is dental fear?

Fear of the dentist, or dental anxiety, can manifest in many ways. It can be anywhere from mild anxiety to extreme phobia. This fear can stem from any number of things, maybe a negative past dental visit or a general fear of pain. Whatever it is, what matters is that you want to address it and you’re ready to conquer it.

People with dental anxiety will experience a few common symptoms, including but not limited to:

• Insomnia the night before an appointment 
• Nauseous or lightheadedness 
• Sweating and heart-racing

If you’ve felt any of the above symptoms, you may be experiencing some dental-related anxiety.

Navigating fear from a negative experience

Dental fear generally stems from the unknown or a negative experience. If you’ve had a bad experience at another dental practice, chances are the trust between you and your dentist was broken. This could be a misdiagnosis, an incorrect treatment plan, or a mistake in the right procedure.

While this fear is completely justifiable, you’ll need to learn to trust again with the right dentist so that you can get the treatment you need. We believe in building trust with our patients to eliminate any doubt or fear.

Managing dental fear

Everyone deals with anxiety and fear differently, and it’s the same case with dental fear. Depending on the severity of your dental fear, some strategies may work better than others for you. 

Here are a few ways you can ease your dental fear for your next visit.

Before your treatment

Making the initial enquiry and taking the first step toward overcoming dental fear can be the hardest part. We invite those who experience dental anxiety to give us a call so that we can have a relaxed and comfortable conversation about some of the things you are struggling with.

If you’re feeling confident enough, another effective strategy is to visit our clinic before booking a procedure so that you can familiarise yourself with the environment and staff. This can also better prepare you for a treatment with us as there will be less left to the imagination.

During your visit, we recommend having a consultation with us so that we can discuss your fears and what treatment options are available. Opening yourself up to communication is key, and sharing your concerns can help us tailor your treatment to your specific needs.

Relaxation techniques 

Whether it’s at home or during your treatment, there are several relaxation techniques to help you feel more at ease for your visit.

Before your appointment, you should try to practise techniques like deep breathing, meditation and stretching to calm yourself. 

If that isn’t your style, often music and TV can work just as well while distracting you at the same time! Depending on your procedure, we welcome you to play a show or listen to your favourite tunes. This can be very effective at keeping yourself calm and distracted.

Sleep dentistry and other sedation methods

Many patients prefer to undergo dental treatments under general anesthesia, but it is nearly impossible to find such services at private dental clinics, and wait times at dental hospitals can be long. Fortunately, we are one of the few dental clinics equipped with a fully functional in-house general anesthesia room to meet these needs promptly.

If you feel as though your dental fear is too great to overcome, we offer sleep dentistry to deliver a completely pain-free and comfortable experience. This process involved a qualified anaesthetist putting you to sleep with gas or IV sedation. Once you are unconscious, we can complete your treatment without causing any pain or discomfort to you at all. 

Our sleep dentistry services are safe and secure, only being conducted by our highly trained in-clinic anaesthetists. Many patients often reflect on their experience with sleep dentistry with remark that it feels like a short afternoon nap. 

If sleep dentistry isn’t for you, we have other sedation options available to help you feel comfortable during your visit to the dentist, including Nitrous oxide and laughing gas. These methods are less invasive and wear off quicker than sleep dentistry, allowing you to return to daily activities sooner.

Take the first step with The Point Dental

We understand that bad experiences can contribute significantly to dental fear, which can seriously impact the trust you may have had with a past dentist. At The Point Dental, we believe in building up a level of trust with our patients to ensure both a comfortable experience and excellent results.

Whether you are concerned about your oral health or want to make a change to your smile, we are here to help without any judgment.

If you’re ready to leave your fear of the dentist behind you and start working towards a new smile, contact us today to start your journey with us and overcome your dental fear.