Obtaining and maintaining a healthy and attractive smile requires regular dental visits. However, some people have a fear of going to the dentist. It prevents them from getting necessary dental care causing several oral health issues. Fortunately, dental anxiety can be managed and overcome. Continue reading more about relieving dental anxiety in Bayside.
What Is Dental Anxiety?
It is a stress response some people have to dental settings. They become uncomfortable, nervous, and fearful when at the dental office. Dental anxiety may be caused by fear of pain, fear of dental tools, claustrophobia, past terrible experiences, or mistrust. It affects patients of all ages, including kids and adults.
What Are the Downsides of Dental Avoidance?
A person with dental anxiety will skip or delay dental appointments. This leads to serious oral health problems, some of which are highlighted below.
Attending regular checkups allows your dentist to clean your teeth, eliminating plaque thoroughly. When you do not go for the appointment, plaque builds up into tartar. It wears down the tooth enamel over time, causing tooth decay and cavities.
Cavities allow bacteria into the tooth’s nerves and blood vessels. Also, they weaken a tooth making it susceptible to damage that allows bacteria inside it. This leads to infections which, left untreated, will result in tooth loss.
- Gum disease and other conditions
Not visiting the dentist for cleanings allows bacteria to cause gum inflammation. If you continue avoiding the expert, the disease will progress, causing severe damage. For example, you may have gum recession, halitosis, tooth loss, and jawbone loss. It also leads to health conditions like heart disease, diabetes, and stroke.
- Dull and discolored teeth
Teeth become dull and discolored due to poor oral hygiene and taking pigmented foods. A dentist cleans your teeth during dental checkups. They also offer whitening treatments for a brighter and more attractive smile. If you do not see them regularly, your smile will suffer.
A dentist will examine your mouth for oral cancer regularly. The screening helps detect and treat the disease early when it is easily treated. If you do not go to the dentist for extended periods, the condition may develop and become fatal.
Tips for Managing Dental Anxiety
If you have dental anxiety, your fear may seem insurmountable. Fortunately, there are ways to overcome it and have a positive experience at the dentist. Some of them are highlighted below.
- The right dentist will help you manage your dental anxiety. Find a dentist in Bayside who understands your concerns. They should have experience working with patients with this anxiety.
- Inform your dentist and the dental staff of your dental anxiety. They will offer ways to keep your fear at bay and provide appropriate dental care.
- Bring a friend or loved one to your dental appointment. Having someone familiar with you will help ease the anxiety.
- Getting your mind off your surrounding helps ease the fear. So, distract yourself with music, movies, television shows, or audiobooks.
- Sedation dentistry focuses on helping you relax before and during the treatment. So, ask your dentist to administer a suitable sedative for you. They may recommend inhaled sedation, oral sedation, IV sedation, or general anesthesia.
- Practice relaxation and meditation techniques like deep breathing. They lower your heart rate and decrease muscle tension helping you remain calm.
- Stressful situations outside the dental office can increase your dental anxiety. So, schedule your appointment at a time when you are feeling relaxed and alert.
- Select and agree on a signal to request the dentist to pause during the treatment. You can use the sign when stressed and need a break.
- Avoid foods that are likely to increase your nervousness before the dental visit. These include foods and drinks with caffeine and sugar. Instead, take foods high in protein since they produce a calming effect.
- Schedule your next appointment before leaving the dentist’s office. Doing so helps you to overcome the temptation of avoiding the next dental visit.
Conclusion
Avoiding the dentist usually leads to adverse oral health issues. So, do not let your dental anxiety stop you from visiting the dentist for exams, cleanings, and other treatments. Instead, contact our dental team at Dental Expressions by Dr. Gary Bram to book an appointment. Our team is trained and equipped to treat patients with dental anxiety.
