Dental Anxiety: Tips to Overcome Fear of the Dentist

Although visiting the dentist is essential, some people are very nervous about attending their appointment and the subsequent procedures that might need to be undertaken.

How does somebody overcome their fear of the dentist? This isn't a simple thing to overcome, but there are ways you and your dentist can make the experience an overall better one for you.

Inform the Dentist of Your Worries

By telling your dentist you are nervous about your visit, you allow them to accommodate you by creating an even friendlier environment than usual. Having a comfortable setting is crucial to your comfort, so the Pure Smiles dentists will ensure you feel as at ease as possible.

If your dentist doesn't know your concerns or anxiety, it will be hard for them to tailor their approach to suit you. Of course, dentists want to make the experience as stress-free and comfortable as possible for everyone, but they can’t make specific changes that would help you relax if they're unaware.

Practice Breathwork

Before you attend your dental appointment and as you're in the waiting area, take deep breaths to calm yourself down as much as possible; doesn't this help you stay calm and less jittery as you are about to be seen by your dentist?

If you need to stop the examination or procedure at any point, you can ask your dentist to pause what they're doing so you can collect your composure. It's perfectly fine to ask this if you're not entirely comfortable with everything because your dentist wants your comfort as much as you do.

Bring Somebody With You

When you're getting worked up about your dental appointment, taking a friend or family member with you can put you at ease and distract you from the visit. Pure Smiles is perfectly fine with a loved one coming along with you if you suffer from dental anxiety and are happy that you're making an effort to make a dental visit more tolerable.

Others we trust can relieve our worries by talking it through beforehand and making us realise that there is nothing to be concerned about.

Seek Further Information

Wanting to get in and out of a dental appointment as quickly as possible is understandable if you're nervous about going there. However, asking the dentist why they're doing something and what you can expect can put your mind at ease, especially if you're unsure of the consequences.

Knowing what's going on so you're not unsure what you could be feeling or how long something will take can be of great benefit. Our dentists will take as much care as possible, but learning more about oral health and how to rectify problems can hopefully result in less anxiety about treatment going forward.

Book an appointment with a Pure Smiles dentist today if you're a nervous dental patient, and we'll do our utmost to make it a smooth one for you.