Okemos, Lansing and East Lansing Michigan
When you have an upcoming dental appointment, does it make you nervous? Do feelings of fear gnaw at your gut when you pull your car into the parking lot or step into the lobby of a dental practice? You are not alone in feeling this way. Many people experience feelings of nervousness, anxiety, fear or even outright terror when it comes to going to the dentist or just thinking about a dental visit. This condition is known as dental anxiety and it is more widespread than you might think. Today on the blog, Okemos’ favorite dentist, Dr. Christine Tenaglia, takes a deeper look at dental anxiety and five ways to overcome it.
How common is dental anxiety?
The Cleveland Clinic estimates that up to 36% of Americans have a fear of seeing the dentist and 12% have this fear to an extreme level. These feelings can make it difficult or even impossible to receive dental care. It may keep someone from seeing the dentist for years, or maybe even decades. Ironically, for those who neglect going to the dentist because of their anxiety or fear, the need for professional oral health care magnifies due to this neglect.
5 Ways to manage your dental anxiety
Friendly face: Having someone there to support you in tough or scary times can be a big boost. See if someone will come with you to your appointment—a friend, spouse, or family member. Due to current protocols, they may only be able to travel to the appointment with you, but just having that comforting presence by your side before stepping into the dental chair will lower your anxiety.
Communicate: Your dentist is there to take care of you—the whole you, not just your teeth and mouth. Explain what makes you nervous about going to the dentist; he or she can then recommend some measures to help minimize your fear or explain in detail certain aspects of procedures that make you nervous. You can even set up communication protocols during appointments, such as hand signals.
Crank it up: These days, most of us carry our favorite music or podcasts with us on our mobile devices. Consider pulling up your favorite artist, song or podcast while waiting for your treatment to begin. Depending on what’s planned during the procedure, you may even be able to keep listening during treatment on headphones.
Just breathe: Taking deep, steady breaths is one way to calm you in times of nervousness. This method of breathing makes you more relaxed and lowers the chance you start to hyperventilate, which will only make you more nervous and even potentially cause panic. We understand that going to the dentist can be harrowing, but try to keep taking deep, regular breaths throughout the entire process of an appointment—before, during, and after the procedure.
Ask questions: Anxiety and fear feed on what you do not know. If you’re going for a cleaning, you probably know what to expect but if a more intensive procedure is planned, it’s natural to be nervous. Don’t be afraid to ask questions of your dentist before the treatment begins. This knowledge will give you a better
understanding of what to expect and could help alleviate your fearful feelings.
Managing dental anxiety in Okemos, Lansing and East Lansing in Michigan
It’s natural to be a little nervous about seeing the dentist, especially if you haven’t been in a while, but we understand these feelings may be overwhelming for some. At Tenaglia Smiles, our team can treat you with compassion and understanding. We can explain every aspect of a procedure before the work begins and help provide the care you need, in spite of your anxiety. To find out more about our services or schedule a tour of our facility, call (517) 347-6733 or contact us online.