Many patients feel anxious about going to the dentist. It is important to tell the dentist you are feeling this way so they can help you manage your phobia.

Dental fear is a major reason for poor oral health and avoidance of care. This can lead to more serious dental problems down the road that may require a more invasive procedure.

Open Communication with Your Dentist

About 9% to 20% of Americans suffer from dental anxiety Louisville KY also known as dental fear or phobia. This is caused by a number of reasons, including negative past experiences, the media’s portrayal of dentistry, and fear of pain or discomfort. When left untreated, this can lead to patients avoiding visits to the dentist and thus worsening their oral health.

The first step to overcoming your fears is open communication with your dentist. A reputable dentist will take the time to listen and empathize with your concerns. This will help you feel at ease and will make you more confident in their ability to treat your anxiety.

If your anxiety is severe, your dentist may suggest a desensitization plan and refer you to a counselor or psychologist for psychological management. Alternatively, they might recommend a type of sedation that will allow you to remain calm during your treatment. This can include relative analgesia (happy gas), anxiety-relieving medication, twilight sedation, or even general anesthesia.

Schedule Your Appointment on a Free Day

A busy schedule may make it hard to find a time to visit the dentist. However, it is important to attend regular appointments to prevent dental issues from worsening and requiring more complex treatment in the future.

If you suffer from anxiety, it’s best to schedule your appointment on a day where you can relax before and after the appointment. You can also bring a distraction, such as a book or music player, to keep your mind occupied during the procedure.

For severe cases of anxiety, patients can receive sedative medication during their appointment to help them relax. If you are planning to take this type of medication, be sure to have someone available to drive you to and from your appointment as it can affect your ability to operate a vehicle safely. The sedative will also need to have a chance to wear off before you are able to drive again. You should also avoid drinking alcohol before your appointment as this can impair your judgement.

Bring a Distraction

Distraction is one of the most effective methods of alleviating dental anxiety Louisville KY. Patients can bring music, podcasts or audiobooks on their smart devices and wear noise-canceling headphones to prevent listening to the sounds of the dental office (like a drill) from bothering them. Listening to an audio distraction can be even more comforting if it is started before the appointment, so you’re already invested in the story.

It can also be helpful to bring a friend or family member along, as long as the dentist agrees. Having someone there to talk to and distract you can help reduce anxiety, especially if they can alert the dentist that you’re uncomfortable or in pain.

In addition to bringing distractions, there are other ways to manage dental anxiety Louisville KY that involve a variety of behavior management techniques. These include traditional behavior management, cognitive behavioral therapy, audio-visual aid, virtual reality headset, and systematic desensitization. However, cognitive behavioral therapy is more effective in the long run than other techniques.

Establish a Signal

It’s no secret that going to the dentist can be stressful. The sterile smell, buzzing and drilling noises, and the thought of someone up close in your mouth are all cause for unease. Fortunately, there are several ways to minimize your anxiety and make the experience more enjoyable.

Patients of all ages can experience dental fear and anxiety. This can be a result of a negative past experience or irrational fears that may develop from other psychological disorders such as general anxiety disorder or post-traumatic stress disorder.

Patients with mild to moderate anxiety can often be successfully managed with psycho-therapeutic interventions such as behavior therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and hypnotherapy. For extreme and phobic cases, pharmacological treatment such as anxiolytic drugs or sedation dentistry Louisville KY can be required. The key is to openly communicate your anxiety with your dentist and establish a signal that can be used to indicate when you need a break or more numbing.