6 Important Ways To Calm Your Fears Of Dentist

Our goal at our dental clinic is to make every patient feel calm, at ease, and comfortable. But since more than 80% of Americans have some fear of the dentist, we have our work cut out for us. Know that you’re not alone and that we’ve helped thousands of people overcome their fears differently.We’re up for the challenge and determined to change how our patients think about going to the dentist.

What Do You Do When Something Scares You?

Avoid it at all costs.This is also true for people who are afraid of dentists. It is thought that between 9 and 15% of Americans, or 30 to 40 million people, never go to the dentist because of anxiety or fear.Your dental and overall health needs to go to the dentist, get preventive care, and deal with problems. If you let your fear of the dentist keep you from going to the dentist or getting recommended treatments, bad things can happen, such as:

  • Teeth that are stained and dirty
  • Teeth that are chipped, broken, or cracked
  • Gum disease
  • Gum recession
  • Bad teeth and cavities
  • Loss of teeth

Not to mention all the signs and risk factors for TMJ, sleep apnea, and oral cancer that won’t be found or treated.Only you will benefit from going to the dentist. Keeping this fact in mind is essential if you want to get over your fear of the dentist.

What Do You Worry About? 

Before you can get over your fear of the dentist, you need to understand why you have it in the first place.After giving it some thought, you may realize that one thing or several things are to blame.

Pain

Many people think that getting dental care is always painful. Anyone would be afraid if they thought about pain. Thankfully, modern dental procedures and treatments are much less painful and invasive than they used to be. A good dentist will also do everything possible to ensure your visit doesn’t hurt.

Not Being In Charge And Being Afraid Of The Unknown

Some people feel scared and trapped when they sit back in a dental chair. Some people can’t relax because they don’t know what will happen next. It can be scary not to know what to expect and feel like you have no control.

Dentist offices today take these worries into account and offer ways to deal with them. The spa has everything you need, from eye masks, blankets, and headphones to help you relax to detailed explanations of what’s happening during your treatment. We can do several things to ensure your visit is as pleasant as possible.

Embarrassment About Dental Health

If you haven’t been to the dentist in a long time because you’re afraid of going, you may have more significant problems with your teeth. Even if your teeth look fine, some people worry that they’ll “get in trouble” if they wait too long to make an appointment, don’t floss every day, or show any other signs of not taking care of their teeth as they should.

Remember, though, that the longer you wait to go to the dentist, the more likely your teeth will make you feel embarrassed. Remember that we won’t judge you or give you advice about your past dental health decisions. We’re only here to help you get the best oral health possible.

Bad Things That Happened In The Past

We’re sorry, but not all dentists put in the time and effort to give their patients the best experience possible. If you’ve ever been to a dentist like this, the incident might have left you with scars. Whether you were forced to get a treatment you didn’t want or didn’t feel welcome, these things can make you suspicious.

You Deserve Better

There IS something better out there, which is good news. The key is to find a dentist you can trust and work with who will treat you with kindness and respect. We will start with easy, non-intrusive appointments so that we can build a relationship based on trust and care for your feelings.

6 Specific Ways To Calm Your Fear Of The Dentist

Now that you know where your fears come from, it’s time to take steps to overcome them. Let’s go through it:

1. Find A Good Dentist

Having the right dentist can change everything. You’ll feel better about your care and have more faith in it. We should try to find a dentist who has:

  • Has a helpful, friendly staff
  • Great reviews from people who are already there
  • Gives simple answers to all your questions
  • A calm and comfortable work environment
  • Takes Care and treatments for your teeth that are personalized and high-tech

2. Use Ways To Calm Down And Give Medicines

Take some time to get in the right frame of mind before your appointment. Stretching, meditating, or taking deep, controlled breaths are all things that many people find helpful.If you have a lot of anxiety, you might want to call your dentist and ask what kind of sedation techniques might help you calm down.

We may decide to use laughing gas (nitrous oxide) and sedatives to help you feel as calm as possible. During your consultation, we can talk about these options and come up with a plan that is tailored to your needs. These medicines are very safe and work well to help with anxiety.

3. Bring Someone Along

Ask a friend or member of your family to come with you to your appointment. A supportive person nearby can help you feel safer and more at ease. This is true whether you want the person to wait in the lobby or the room with you.

4.Get There Early

Trying to get to an appointment on time can make you feel tense. Plan to get there extra early so that you can take your time.If it will help, get there early enough to spend a few extra minutes in the lobby talking to the front desk staff, asking questions, or just relaxing.

5. Talk To Your Dentist

Even though it’s a shame that dental anxiety is so common, it does mean that your dentist has helped many people just like you. Don’t keep your fears to yourself; tell your dentist and the rest of the dental team that you’re scared.Your dentist wants to give you the special care and attention you need to feel comfortable and enjoy your visit.

6. Ask Lots Of Questions

During your appointment, say anything that worries, confuses, or hurts you. Your team of dentists is there to help. Want to know more about a specific treatment or instrument? Ask! Are you nervous and needing a moment to calm down before continuing treatment? Talk to your dentist.

A good dental team will be happy to do what you ask, explain what you might feel, and make sure you’re comfortable the whole time. Do visit our dental clinic to receive the perfect emergency dental service.

7 Great Dental Hygiene Tips

Every individual wants to have a perfect smile. The reason behind it is pretty simple. An attractive smile not just gives you immense confidence but also has a positive effect on your overall appearance. But, have you ever thought about the need for maintaining proper oral hygiene in order to have a beautiful smile?

Well, if you haven’t then now is the time to do so. Smiles of Virginia Family Dental Center is providing you with 7 great dental hygiene tips. Adopting them can be the determining factor between you and a perfect smile. 

Proper Brushing

Brushing is the first and most important step that needs to be executed properly in order to take proper care of your teeth and gums. As you know, brushing helps to get rid of the food items stuck in between the teeth which in turn lessens the chances of plaque formation and mouth infection. Make sure to brush your teeth at least twice a day for a time span of 2 minutes. You should always get a toothbrush that has softer bristles. Brushing your teeth with hard bristles can cause teeth decay. Also, try to maintain a time gap of 30 minutes to 1 hour between having a meal and brushing your teeth. In case of sensitivity, use a toothpaste that is specifically made for sensitive teeth.

Flossing 

Flossing is equally important as brushing your teeth. This will help you to clean the areas which cannot be reached by your toothbrush. To sum up, in a sentence, flossing is a way of deep cleaning. Dentists advise flossing at least once a day before brushing teeth.

Avoid tobacco

Stop smoking or other ways of tobacco consumption is a must if you want to ensure oral hygiene. You need to realize that just a single vice or daily habit can make you suffer from oral cancer, periodontal complications, bad breath etc. So why put your oral health at stake when you can lead a healthy life by avoiding tobacco products? Time to think now if you haven’t already.

Cut down on the consumption of particular food items

You need to limit the consumption of acidic or sugary beverages and food items to take proper care of your teeth. Even if you eat or drink these food items and drinks, make sure to wash your mouth right after. There are certain infection-causing bacteria in your mouth that thrives on sugar. So cut down on the intake of these food items and try to include more foods and vegetables in your daily diet.

Consume dairy products

Did you know that consuming calcium can strengthen your bones and teeth? This is why dental professionals advise you to eat dairy products or drink milk. Vitamin D is also known to benefit the well-being of your gums and teeth. 

Use a mouthwash

It is advisable to use a mouthwash after flossing or brushing. Doing so will help you to fight against the infection-causing bacteria in your mouth. But, always remember that using a mouthwash will only be helpful if you execute the other dental hygiene steps on a regular basis. 

Visit a Dentist

You should definitely consult your dentist at least twice a year for the maintenance of proper oral hygiene. There are several dental hygiene treatments offered by dental clinics. You just need to select the best dental clinic nearby. Going for these checkups will help you prevent any serious dental troubles in the days ahead. You can contact Smiles of Virginia Family Dental Center if you are looking for the best dental care in Winchester, VA

 

We know that taking time out of your busy schedule to maintain oral hygiene can be difficult. But, your oral health is directly related to your physical health. Therefore, do not ignore taking care of your teeth and gums when there is time. Thank you.