Dealing With Dental Anxiety

You Are Not Alone

If you suffer from dental anxiety, the first thing you should know is that you are not alone. There is no shame in this, and it is more common than you think. Many adults have a genuine fear of going to the dentist. Our team understands that some patients have dental anxiety, and we want to ensure that this fear doesn’t stop them from getting the care and treatment they need.

Let’s Talk About It

The more we know about how you are feeling, the more we can do to make you feel better. Constant and consistent communication is the best way for us to gauge if we are making you feel safe and relaxed. Here are some suggestions to make the appointment less intimidating.

• When you make your appointment, mention your anxiety and ask for suggestions on how to relieve it. 
• Please remind the dentist and team when you arrive for your visit. Let us know how you are feeling, and we can suggest ways to cope before, during, and after the appointment.
• Ask questions about the procedure. Often, not knowing what is going to happen makes it seem scarier than it actually is. 
• Ask for a break. If you begin to feel overwhelmed, ask if you can take a small break during the examination.
• Please don’t be embarrassed to tell us about your pain. If you feel pain, even after a local anesthetic, let us know so we can make you more comfortable. 
• Listen to music. Bring in your earbuds and put on your favorite songs. This will help distract you.
• Try meditation or visualization techniques to help you focus on something more pleasant and feel relaxed.
• Discuss sedation with us before your visit. Sedation dentistry uses medication to help patients relax during a visit or procedure. We have several options available, and together, we can find the one that is right for you.

Sedation Dentistry Options

We offer several different types of sedation. We’ll decide which to use based on the type of procedure and your needs.

• Nitrous Oxide, also known as “laughing gas”
• Oral Sedation, usually a pill
• IV Sedation, administered via intravenous drip
• General Anesthesia, for patients who want to be completely unconscious during the procedure

By communicating your needs clearly, we will be able to find the solution that is best for you. We don’t want you to stay away because of anxiety, and we’ll do everything we can to make you feel safe and relaxed. If you have stayed away because of fear, please give us a call to schedule an appointment in our office located in Phoenix, AZ.