How to Get Over Dental Anxiety? Here Are Our 7 Top Tips

If you feel stressed or anxious about going to the dentist then you’re certainly not alone. 1 in 7 Australian adults are affected by high dental fear. This makes dental anxiety one of the most widespread anxiety disorders in the country. 

So, what causes dental anxiety? People are anxious about dental visits for different reasons. Some anticipate painful dental procedures. Others are scared of the noise of the drill or dislike the sterile smell of the dental clinic. For some individuals, just breaking their normal routine to visit the dentist is sufficient to make them feel anxious. 

Putting off going to the dentist can cause a decline in oral health, which may lead to the need for even more dental treatment. Here at Riverlands Dental, our team is trained to treat people suffering from dental anxiety. 

There are several comfortable and safe techniques to help alleviate stress, including the use of medication. But let’s start first with some tips we give patients to help them overcome their fears without the use of medication. 

1. Share your fear – If you’re suffering from dental anxiety or feel tense then don’t keep it to yourself. Tell your dentist and his team. By doing so, your dentist can adapt your treatment.  
2. Listen to some music – If the noise of the dental drill triggers anxiety then try wearing earphones and listening to your favourite music to help keep calm. 
3. Take some deep breaths – It’s not uncommon for people to hold their breath when they’re feeling nervous. What this does is to decrease the oxygen levels and makes a person feel more panicky. Try taking a few deep breaths on route to the dentist and once there, focus your efforts on slow regular breathing to bring down your stress levels.   
4. Use hand signals – Communication is key for anyone wondering how to get over dental anxiety. One way to feel less anxious when you’re undergoing dental procedures is to agree to use a hand signal to communicate to the dentist. This way, when you’re feeling uncomfortable and you want to pause treatment momentarily, you can simply raise a hand. 
5. Watch what you eat and drink – Before an appointment it’s best to avoid caffeine. Caffeine in some cases can cause anxiety. You should also consume high-protein foods rather than sugary snacks since these help to produce a calming effect. 
6. Consider your appointment time – Try to book an appointment that gives you plenty of time so that you’re not rushed or under pressure. This might be an early morning appointment or perhaps a Saturday morning visit would be better.  
7. Get good reviews - If you’re looking for a dentist, then it’s always best to seek recommendations from family or friends. Good reviews from those you can trust helps to reduce dental anxiety. 

We’re happy when patients don’t require medication to undergo dental procedures but we also understand that however pleasant our surroundings and however friendly our dental team, there are always going to be patients who still feel anxious. This is why we provide sedation dentistry for people needing or wanting dental treatment that are unable to overcome their dental anxiety. 

Everyone is different which is why we provide several sedation options. This way patients can choose whatever suits them best. We’re happy to talk patients through each option to help them make an informed decision but in the meantime, here are the types of sedation we offer: 

• Oral Conscious Sedation 
• Nitrous Oxide 
• IV Sedation 

Oral conscious sedation is a pill that patients can take before their visit or once they get here. It works by lowering their level of consciousness before starting dental treatment. It’s most suitable for procedures such as fillings and deep dental cleaning because normal body function is retained but very little memory. Since this method is taken by mouth, there’s no need for breathing mechanisms or IV solutions. You will, however, need someone to accompany you throughout the visit and to take you home. 

Nitrous oxide refers to the inhalation of gas mixed with oxygen which is breathed through a small nose piece to aid relaxation. While it doesn’t provide much in the way of relief from dental anxiety, it helps relieve any pain. This procedure works quickly and recovery takes only a few minutes, so you can drive yourself home. 

IV Sedation is a sedative that is delivered into the bloodstream using a catheter, often placed in the back of the hand. It induces a feeling of drowsiness although the patient can respond to the dentist. It can take several minutes after the treatment has ended before the patient is sufficiently ‘with it’ to leave the clinic and they may even feel a little nauseous. Again, it’s strongly advisable that a friend or family member drive them home and stay with them until they feel back to normal. 

While sedation isn’t a solution for how to get over dental anxiety per se, it will enable you to get the dental treatment you need. Who knows, with dentists who practice gentle caring dentistry in a tranquil setting, you may even start to enjoy your dental visits. 

Why not put us to the test by booking an appointment with the Riverlands Dental team or by calling us at (02) 4501 7930 today.