Is a Fear of the Dentist Keeping You Out of the Chair? Learn How to Overcome It

There are many reasons people feel afraid to visit the dentist. In some cases, they’re afraid of pain. Others haven’t been to the dentist in years and are afraid they’re going to need a lot of cosmetic dentistry and they worry about the cost. Research has shown that dental anxiety often starts in childhood.

While we understand these reasons, it’s also important to remember that not coming to the dentist can lead to problems that are much worse. For example, a person who skips the dentist and ends up with gum disease has a higher chance of getting diabetes and heart disease, as well as an increased risk of stroke. At California Dental Group, we want to do everything we can to encourage those who are hesitant to visit the dentist. Read on to get some tips and then call us at (800) 407-0161 to set up an appointment.

Tell your dentist about your fear

First and foremost, make sure that your dentist knows you feel anxious. You can trust that we hear this all the time and it will not be a surprising or upsetting thing to tell us. Once we know that you’re feeling nervous, we can take special steps to make sure that you’re as comfortable as possible.

We will keep you informed of each step

One of the things that may people are afraid of at the dentist is the feeling of not knowing what’s coming next. We can help you with that by going over the entire procedure before we start. As we move on, we’ll inform you of the next step before we start. This can help you feel more at ease because you won’t constantly be waiting to see what will happen next.

We can teach you about your tools

Sharp dental tools are another common source of anxiety. The reality is that most of our tools look sharper and scarier than they are. It’s also true that at a general cleaning, we won’t be using all the tools you’re imagining. When we go over what we’re going to do, we can also show you the tools we’re going to use. Once you have a better understanding of what they’re for, you may feel more comfortable around them.

Ask about pain-free options

Depending on your procedure, you may get a topical anesthetic or you may need something stronger. Make sure you ask your dentist to find out what we can do for you. Everyone has a different threshold for pain and if you worry that yours may be low, let us know.

The key to a successful visit to the dentist is feeling prepared. Knowing what’s going to happen and being warned before any new move is made can help you relax. If there are other ways we can help you feel more comfortable, feel free to let us know. California Dental Group is dedicated to providing the best possible experience for every client and we welcome your individual feedback to help us do that.