6 things to remember if you dread going to the dentist

As much as we like to believe that everyone likes to see us, we are completely aware that the dentist is not everyone’s favourite place to be! Dental anxiety is one of the most prevalent anxiety conditions in Australia, with approx. 40% of people reporting a degree of dental anxiety. This anxiety can stem from previous unpleasant dental experiences, fear of the unknown, fear of judgement, fear of the cost and a feeling of lack of control and vulnerability.

Here are six things to keep in mind if you’ve been avoiding the dentist:

1.   Communication is key! If you are nervous about your appointment or have had issues with dental anxiety in the past, please do not be afraid to speak up and let our dental team know prior to or during your appointment.  Sometimes just sharing your apprehension can ease the load.

2.  Knowledge is power. Many people put off their dental appointments as they are afraid of what the dentist may find. You may be worried that you have not been in a while and there may be a lot of issues with your mouth. Recurrent anxiety from dwelling on potential problems can adversely affect quality of life and re-enforce avoidance behaviour. At your first appointment (whether it’s the first in one year or ten years), a thorough examination by the dentist can help to alleviate this anxiety. We can explain what is going on and present alternate solutions (including the costs). We often hear “it’s not as bad as I thought!”. Once you know what is going on, you can take control of your anxiety by following through with a treatment plan tailored to your needs. You and your dentist can come up with a plan that enables you to restore your mouth to optimal health and maintain it in the years to come.

3. Remember that the dental team is there to help you, not judge you. We do this every day, have seen thousands of mouths and judgment is not in our vocabulary! In addition to being dentists, we are patients as well and undergo dental treatment ourselves, so we can empathise with any apprehension or anxiety that you may be feeling.

4. You are in control. At your first appointment, treatment does not have to be performed. We can plan to stage your treatment over an appropriate course of time to accommodate your personal preferences. Longer appointments can be booked so that you don’t feel rushed and are able to ask questions and take breaks if required.  You can even choose what music you prefer to be played.

5. Plan a treat for yourself after your appointment. Often, making the first appointment is the hardest step to take, so you deserve to reward yourself for taking that first step!

6. Prevention is the best medicine. Regular dental visits help to reduce anxiety as the more you attend the dentist, the more it becomes a normal part of your routine. Most dental problems can be picked up at early stages so that appropriate preventive and treatment strategies can be introduced before small problems become big problems.

At Dentists of Alphington, we’re always happy to hear from you and answer any questions you might have. This article is authored by Dr. Natasha Swan who is a registered dentist and practices at Dentists of Alphington. The above is intended as general and advice and, as always, we suggest patients receive dental advice specific to their own situation and needs.