Ask the dentist – how do I manage dental anxiety?
One of the most detrimental dental issues facing the industry is dental anxiety. Dental anxiety is a real problem with very real, very serious consequences for a patient’s health. While previous unpleasant experiences account for many patients suffering from dental phobia, there are many reasons why a patient may come to fear dental checkups.
The diverse array of root causes encompasses embarrassment of their dental problem, fear of injections, feelings of loss of control during invasive procedures and worry over dental care costs.
Not receiving appropriate professional care from a dentist in West Byfleet will eventually spell disaster for a patient’s health. The look of their smiles may suffer, they may have to endure unbearable pain and discomfort, and they may eventually need to fork out more money to treat complex oral health problems with protracted treatment plans.
At Byfleet Dental, we acknowledge that dental anxiety is a worrying trend that threatens the health of patients. To support patients who suffer from dental anxiety, we have a friendly dentist in West Byfleet providing compassionate dental care so that no patient forgoes dental care and loses their happy smile.
Ways to overcome the disastrous consequences of dental anxiety
Be open and honest about one’s dental anxieties
It is only the patients who acknowledge they have a problem and are upfront about it with their healthcare professionals that are offered practical solutions to deal with their anxieties.
We encourage our patients to tell us of their fears, needs and concerns so that we can find appropriate techniques in order to give them the care they need. Fortunately, there are many techniques that have worked well to manage dental anxieties; techniques we can offer at our dental clinic and techniques patients can employ to relax and ease their anxieties.
Should a patient, at any time, feel uncomfortable when receiving treatment, it is crucial that they inform our dentist in West Byfleet so that the necessary steps can be taken for them to remain comfortable during their visit.
Enquire about sedation dentistry techniques
Many modern dental clinics look to sedation dental techniques to help patients feel at ease when receiving dental care. There are different types of sedation techniques such as IV sedation and inhalation sedation, so it would be a worthwhile endeavour for a patient to find out which type is available at their chosen dental clinic.
Behaviour modification and relaxation techniques have also been used to great effect in dental settings. Some of the widely-used techniques are guided imagery, hypnotherapy and positive reinforcement.
Taking a friend along to a dental appointment can also help with easing patient anxieties. Just knowing that the presence of a loved one is with the patient can help the patient feel safe and at ease.
Other techniques to calm nerves include deep breathing techniques, meditation and knowing what the treatment procedure entails. The dental care we provide at Byfleet Dental focuses on restoring the health and function of the mouth in addition to saving smiles. To benefit from our patient-centric dental care, get in touch with our reception desk to schedule an appointment.