The year is 1997 and my mum has picked me up from primary school early for my dental check up. We pull into the car park and mum gets out of the car and shuts her door. I stay in the car and lock the door behind her. There was no way I was going into that dental clinic willingly! I would fight with all my might! Granted, my strategic mother did have the keys so I would be forced out, but you get the picture I’m trying to paint for you. My fear of the dentist was real, so when you come into the practice scared, I get it. The dentist can be a scary place with the fear of possible pain and the unknown but we are here to change the narrative on dental anxiety, our goal is to make everyone young and senior feel comfortable and reassured we only want the best for you.
These are our top tips for trying to reduce your anxiety when coming to visit:
The Art of Distraction
Come on in and pretend it’s your lounge room. Ask for your favourite show on the overhead tv, put on the noise cancelling earphones and let yourself get distracted. If tv isn’t your thing, maybe listening to your own music on your headphones might be a better idea for you.
Get Cosy
Ask for a blanket and neck pillow to get yourself snug as a bug. Sometimes just having something over you gives a sense of security and could help with the nerves. Having a calming herbal tea before your appointment in the waiting room can also help centre yourself.
Take Time Outs
During treatment, if you ever feel like you need the dental team to stop, just raise your hand and they will stop. We are guided by you and will go at your pace. Don’t feel like you have no control in the room.
Ask Questions
I believe asking questions is one of the best things you can do to overcome you fear. Knowledge is power and the more you understand, the less it feels like entering the unknown. If you don’t understand a treatment, ask your dentist. If you don’t know what they are going to do in the appointment, ask. If you want a step by step of the procedure, ask and the dentist can even talk you through it as they go.
How did I overcome my fear? Well for me it was constant exposure; going through orthodontics as well as having early preventative measures such as fissure sealants on my molars to protect my teeth and regular check ups and cleans.
It comes down to whatever works for making you comfortable and hopefully one of these things is what gets you out of the car and in the dental chair next time. See you at your next appointment!