It is common for people to have a fear of the dentist as it’s something that largely society has taught us is scary, however that certainly doesn’t need to be the case! If you suffer from a fear of the dentist, we’re here with three simple things you can do to help you overcome it, so you can achieve the happy and healthy smile that you deserve.
Going to the dentist is really important for your overall health and can help to ensure your natural teeth last as long as possible, or that you’re able to achieve the smile you’ve always dreamed of with cosmetic treatments like Invisalign aligners that you’ve been putting off. Follow our tips, overcome your fear and get ready to fall in love with your smile. Fears are an awful thing to have to deal with and remember they’re normal, but that doesn’t mean you should have to deal with them your whole life. Hopefully our advice is helpful to allow you to begin to move on!
Arrange A Tour Before You Visit
The first thing you should do before worrying about anything else is arrange a tour of the dentist with the reception team. For many people, a big part of their fear is the unknown and going into a space with people they don’t know that is completely unfamiliar.
So, go for a tour where you can get used to the environment, meet the staff, chat to your dentist and generally just get comfortable without the worry that the treatment will be that day. This is a great way to get started and to begin to overcome your fear, one stop at a time.
Explain To Your Dentist
When it comes to your appointment, make sure you explain your fear to your dentist so they are aware. They may ask some more questions, then will likely have exactly the right things to say to help reassure you that everything will be fine. They will say that if you ever need a break that’s no problem and will generally guide you through the whole process. Dentists will meet people with fears all the time, so you need to remember you’re not the only person and soon you will find going to the dentist much easier. The dentist may even have specific things in place to help people with fears, so make sure you let the practice know as they’ll be able to help!
Choose A Private Dentist
Lastly, a good option is to choose a private dentist. Not only are there usually a wider range of treatment options, some of which will be less invasive, but they also have much more time available to reassure you and get you settled before any treatment needs to begin. Unfortunately, public dentists are often overrun, busy and a bit hectic, which won’t help if you’re already feeling nervous. So, look at local private dentists, whether it’s for a cosmetic dental clinic or general, because you’ll likely have a much calmer, more relaxed experience to help you overcome your fear.