7th May 2021

3 Effective Ways to Help Tackle Your Dental Phobia

Apprehension prior to a dental appointment – or any appointment for that matter – is perfectly natural. However, if anxiety and fear become so pronounced prior to appointments that it begins to affect your dental hygiene, then you may be experiencing dental phobia or anxiety. Over a long period, this can seriously affect your oral hygiene. Here at Dental Solutions, we are very experienced with dental phobic patients and provide a friendly relaxed environment, where your needs are our top priority. Our latest modern dental techniques ensure that dentistry is not painful in any way, guaranteed.

Typically, dental phobia is triggered by the loss of control, fear of pain, embarrassment or simply a bad past experience. But, these factors do not have to prevent you from maintaining good oral hygiene. There are a number of techniques you can use to try and tackle your dental phobia head-on. Here are a few of the ways you can work to get yourself back into a dental chair:

1 – Gradually Reduce Fears

Understanding and being willing to treat your dental phobia is the first step to gradually overcome it. First and foremost, list your fears to both better understand what they are exactly and come to terms with them. Having such a list can also give you a starting point to discuss your fears more fully with your dentist or another healthcare professional.

Having an appointment to simply discuss your smile or fear before any treatment is completed is a constructive way to deal with your fears. This can help you to acclimatise to the environment of the practice, helping you to associate it with a pleasant chat rather than the fear of an appointment. You don’t even have to sit in the dentist chair at this point if you don’t want to. But, it could help to make you feel less vulnerable or expectant of pain when in that same situation later in your treatment.

2 – Relaxation Techniques

There is no magical cure for dental fear. But, that doesn’t mean that you can’t learn to manage it in healthy and sustainable ways. There are a number of effective relaxation techniques you can use to achieve better management of your dental fears. The aim of a good relaxation technique is to relax your muscles and slow down your heartbeat, as these symptoms of anxiety and panic can simply make you feel worse. By controlling these symptoms you can hopefully help to reduce your dental fear over a long period of time. Many patients at Dental Solutions report Mindfulness apps or courses are particularly helpful.

3 – Choose the Right Dentist

Tackling your dental phobia is only possible with the support and care of the right dental practice, which makes your choice of dentist vitally important. At Dental Solutions, our practice is Nervous Patient Approved. We ensure we provide a helpful, friendly, atmosphere where your needs are the top priority for everyone involved in your treatment.

For added help during your appointments, we also have a television screen embedded in the ceilings of all our dental surgeries. This is there so you can watch programmes or even listen to music during appointments, whatever helps you feel most at ease. Our waiting rooms are also full of a selection of magazines, chilled water and even fresh fruit, providing you with everything you need to simply relax.

And if that’s not enough, our team of friendly faces – including our dentists and hygienists – are always there with an encouraging smile.

Of course, we also recently explored the impact of acupuncture on dental phobia. So, if you are looking for an alternative method of managing your fear then this may be an interesting route to explore.

Are you interested in overcoming your dental phobia with the help of a Nervous Patient Approved dentist? Then contact us today by filling out the form or calling 01925 756565, we can help begin your journey in tackling dental phobia today.

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Excellent
Based on 286 reviews
Mike White
Mike White
2024-01-29
The best experience. When you step through the door you are met by the friendliest receptionist,Which continues through the practice. If you want the best dental care and treatments across the board this is where you need to go.
Charlotte Bell
Charlotte Bell
2023-12-15
I came to dental solutions with severe anxiety of dentists and Lauren was so helpful, kind and patient with me. For the first time in years I've found a dentist who I feel comfortable with. Thank you
Gill S
Gill S
2023-10-27
I had a wisdom tooth extracted by Gavin after having toothache due to my tooth breaking. I was nervous as I had not had a tooth removed by injection before. Gavin was reassuring, explained the procedure fully and it was over quickly with no pain. All staff at the practice are caring, friendly and professional and I have been going for many years. I highly recommend Dental Solutions.
K.WEDGE
K.WEDGE
2023-09-06
Thank you to Gavin and team at Dental Solutions for the superb dental work done yesterday. As well as being highly professional and very good at what they do the place has a great atmosphere which makes going to the dentist a pleasure.
tracy grensinger
tracy grensinger
2023-07-02
Amazing experience. I felt in safe friendly professional hands with all the team . Thank you!
Zoe Manley
Zoe Manley
2023-06-30
Can’t speak highly enough of this practice and in particular Lauren. 2 years ago I walked in and was so nervous I cried just as the sight of the chair. Her and the staff have been so patient and understanding and have worked with me to overcome my phobia. This week I had a filling and was absolutely fine, my family couldn’t believe it. Reception staff are lovely and really accommodating too. So glad I found them, I don’t dread the dentist anymore.
David Partridge
David Partridge
2023-05-10
A really Five Star Dental Practice! Upon arrival I was greeted by their most friendly welcoming receptionists. it seems nothing is 'too much trouble' to them. Gavin is similarly very friendly and the surgery is kitted out with the most high-tech modern equipment. On my first visit Gavin examined my teeth and explained my options to me giving me his recommendation for treatment and reasons why. Their Co-ordinator prepared a detailed quote for my treatment and went through it in detail with me, ensuring I understood everything; she had plenty of time for me as a patient. From the outset I had complete confidence in entrusting them with my dental care and the final results are truly amazing. Gavin and Richard could not have been more professional and my treatment was made as painless as possible. Dental Solutions provide a truly outstanding service and I thank them for my new 'long lost' smile and renewed confidence, especially when dining out and talking with people. I can't recommend them too highly.
Carole Dodwell
Carole Dodwell
2023-05-08
A first class experience from start to finish. Despite being fearful of visiting the dentist, Gavin put me at ease with his gentle unhurried manner. I was surprised at how relaxed I actually felt undergoing treatment for a crown and the removal/replacement of front teeth veneers. Having felt self conscious about my front teeth for a long time, I decided to have my old veneers replaced. The results were amazing and far exceeded my expectations. What Gavin achieved was nothing short of a work of art, boosting my confidence tenfold. The practice itself is very welcoming, the customer service excellent and the staff are all very friendly and kind. I cannot recommend this dental practise highly enough.
Nick Halliwell
Nick Halliwell
2023-04-28
I recently needed some urgent treatment and after trying a couple of dentists in the area, dental solutions were the only dentist that agreed to see me, genuinely nobody else showed any interest in helping me. The receptionist I spoke to initially was super compassionate and understanding and did all she could to get me in asap. I saw Lauren for all of my appointments, and I’ve now had: a composite filling, root canal and emax crown and just yesterday had a wisdom tooth extracted. I don't know what Lauren does but I have had zero pain or discomfort with any treatments during and after. I'm extremely happy with the results of her work. She definitely knows her stuff and filled me with the utmost confidence whilst in the chair! I literally cant find any fault with any of the experiences I have had so far. They go the extra mile and do it with a smile. What more can you ask for?! Definitely my dentist for the foreseeable future! Thank you Lauren and everyone!
Pete Taberham
Pete Taberham
2023-04-07
Had my initial consultation with Lauren, truly professional and extremely friendly. She explained all my options in detail and following discussions opted for veneers and can't wait to see the end result.
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