If you feel anxious about the dentist, you’re not alone. We’ve all been there at one point, and it’s quite common to feel angst—or even legitimately traumatized—due to prior negative dental experiences.
The good news is that there are proven methods to overcome this anxiety and make your next dental visit a stress-free experience so you come out of your appointment with a (literal) smile on your face.
Take our hand as we embark on this journey together to find ways to overcome anxiety before your next dentist appointment.
Here are some tips to help you get there.
A Consultation Can Do Wonders to Ease Your Worries
One of the leading causes of dental anxiety is a particularly negative experience, especially if someone experiences pain or discomfort during a procedure or cleaning. Trauma often stems from childhood, making it a deep-rooted psychological challenge to conquer.
If you’re feeling anxious about the dentist, the Kelowna Dental Centre team is here to listen in a non-judgmental, human way.
However, we recognize that taking this first step can be the most challenging. Picking up the phone to schedule a consultation or appointment can be stressful, even though it’s essential for you to get the dental care you need to live a happy, healthy life.
That’s why we believe a thorough consultation with your dental team is an essential first step in overcoming those fears.
At Kelowna Dental Centre, we’ve got you covered. We provide personalized phone consultations specifically for highly anxious individuals to help people just like you overcome their angst before even stepping into our clinic.
During our pre-appointment consultation, we will also discuss the root causes of your dental anxiety and how we can work to prevent that with the procedure and sedation.
Our #1 goal is to help you get the dental care you deserve. When you speak with us, please feel comfortable sharing your thoughts and feelings so we can put your mind at ease.
We’re all ears and here to help you feel calm and confident before your visit.
Sedation Dentistry: Another Tool in the Arsenal
Another way to help mitigate dental anxiety is to use sedation to calm your nerves. Dental sedation comes in many different forms, and the specific form we recommend will depend on the nature of your visit and the magnitude of your underlying anxiety.
If you’re coming in for a simple hygiene appointment, we often recommend oral conscious sedation as an extremely safe, reliable method to make your visit stress-free.
But suppose you’re coming in for a more complex procedure – something that just the thought of makes you anxious. In that case, we may recommend a treatment plan that includes Intravenous (IV) sedation to help you stay calm during your visit and ensure you don’t remember anything about the procedure.
Breathe easy, for we are here to reassure you that you will be fully pain-free, allowing the procedure to go extremely smoothly, so you get the results you want with none of the angst.
Patients who choose IV sedation for more involved dental care consistently tell us that their experience was better than expected. It helps folks feel relaxed before, during, and after the appointment.
Our sole focus is helping you achieve the smile of your dreams. We have your best interests in mind and plenty of ways to ensure your anxiety doesn’t impede you from getting the care you deserve.
Channel Your Inner Peace in Our Relaxing Spaces
Finally, let’s talk about the clinic itself. We get it: the typical sterile dental clinical environment can be intimidating – and frankly lame!
That’s why we’ve thoughtfully designed our clinic’s amenities to reduce anxiety and foster a home-like setting for all our patients.
Our comfortable pre-appointment room is sound-proof, blocking out the sounds of the clinic; we have relaxing music playing in common areas, and we’ll provide you with state-of-the-art noise-canceling headphones and comfy blankets (if you’re interested).
Our clinic also has big windows so you don’t feel trapped and TV screens in our care rooms so you can tune into your favourite show while we work on your teeth. All this contributes to what we believe is a serene, comforting environment.
This is why we can confidently say that our clinics’ sights, sounds, and smells are unlike most dental clinics anywhere in the world. We’re committed to creating a relaxing treatment experience for everyone who walks through our doors.
Sing It With Me: Brushing Twice a Day is Here to Stay!
We’ll sing it from the rooftops – preventative care is critical to maintaining good oral health and overcoming dental anxiety. The healthier you keep your mouth, the more confident you’ll be about showing up for your next appointment.
Brushing twice daily, flossing, and using fluoride-based toothpaste are all essential for good oral hygiene.
Regular check-ups twice a year are also necessary. If your anxiety is high, it can be tough to get into the clinic, but if you stick to your oral health routine, things are never as bad as you think. We’re eternal optimists and will always be positive yet realistic when discussing your oral health.
Limiting sugar intake by avoiding sugary drinks and foods throughout the day is also crucial. We also recommend avoiding smoking and vaping to optimize your oral health and make appointments an absolute breeze.
Maintaining a generally healthy lifestyle also helps a lot. Drinking plenty of water and making healthy, nutritious food choices helps maintain good oral health.
So remember, the better you care for yourself, the happier your teeth will be – and the less anxious you’ll be about your next dental appointment.
Battling Dental Anxiety? We’ve Got You Covered
So there you have it, folks. Helping patients conquer their dental anxiety is something we specialize in, and it all starts with a bit of communication and preventative care. And who knows, you might even come out of your next visit feeling like a dental superhero. (Okay, maybe not, but a little optimism never hurt anyone.)
Thanks for reading today’s blog post – we hope you learned something new and feel at ease knowing you’re in good hands when visiting Kelowna Dental Centre.
There are many ways to overcome anxiety before a dentist visit. We look forward to speaking with you to alleviate your fears and concerns, and we’ll work with you to create a treatment plan that works for you.
Click here to book your next dental appointment – we can’t wait to care for you!
Dr. Michael Webster
Kelowna Dental Centre Owner
General Dentist
Sedation Dentistry
Kelowna Implant Dentist
Dental Implants Kelowna