Sadly, few people look forward to their dental trip. The most common reason why most people avoid the dentist is due to fear, dental anxiety of even dental phobia. Anxiety prevents thousands of Australians seeking professional dental help and visiting the dentist on a regular basis.
Avoiding the dentist can result in severe dental problems such as tooth ache, gum disease, tooth loss and even serious infections that can affect other parts of the body, a greater need for emergency care or more complex treatment. It can also feed the underlying dental anxiety.
Most dental disease are lifestyle related and are also preventable. By avoiding routine dental visits, not only are you more likely to need more complex expensive treatments when you finally attend, but also you are missing out on learning how to better care for your oral health, which is extremely important as it can also have an impact on your general health.
We understand that going to the dentist can be overwhelming and even scary, however there are many ways and techniques to help people manage dental anxiety and even dental phobia.
It is important to let you dentist know if you experience any level of anxiety, fear or concerns relating to your visit. At Morphett Vale Dental Care, we like to have an open discussion with our patients and find out the root of their fears so that we can tailor a treatment plan for our patients.
Here are some techniques that over the years we have found to be very valuable and have helped our patients conquer their dental fears:
- Breathing techniques
- Distraction – such as listening to music or watching a movie while having your dental treatment.
- Guided imagery
- Progressive muscle relaxation
- The use of happy gas
- Hypnosis
- Anxiety medication
- Conscious sedation and even
- General anaesthesia
At our practice it is extremely important that our patients are comfortable, relaxed, at ease and in control every step of the way. We will try whatever is in our power to help you overcome your fears that is why we have created a non-threatening relaxed environment, that does not feel, look or smell like a dental practice, our team is friendly and approachable and willing to help.
Whatever your reason might be for skipping your dental visit, it could be doing you more harm than you realise. So, if you need any help please reach out and call us on (08)83822410 we are here for you.
