Do you hate the dentist…or do you just hate GOING to the dentist because of the nerve-wracking feeling it evokes? If you’re nervous just thinking about a visit to the dental office, you’re not alone. Fear of the dentist affects 13-24% of the population. Perhaps you’re scared the visit might hurt or you haven’t been in a while and aren’t sure what the dentist will find. For many people, dental anxiety is disturbing but not disabling. But some are so terrorized at the thought of going to the dentist that they avoid the experience altogether–until the reality of an aching tooth or infection necessitates a visit.
Relieve some of your dental-related stress by doing the following:
Speak Up! Get your fears and concerns off your chest by sharing them with Dr. Queen and staff. We will be better able to treat you if we know your needs and preferences.
Ask Questions! Knowing what is going to happen alleviates the fear of the unknown.
Give Us A Signal. If you need to take a break during a procedure, just raise your hand.
Distract Yourself. Wear headphones and listen to your favorite music, squeeze a stress ball to occupy your hands, or visualize yourself in your happy place to relax.
Check out Dental Fear Central (www.dentalfearcentral.org). This is a wonderful resource for people who are afraid of the dentist and offers helpful advice, tips, and discussion forums where you can have conversations with other people dealing with their own dental anxiety.
At ESDC, we will make sure your dental AND emotional health are taken care of! Rather than the typical aseptic smell of a dental office, we offer calming fragrances in a quiet atmosphere and specialize in creating an environment of trust—and we will do anything to get you through this necessary health-care regimen unfazed. From explaining what to expect and for how long, to getting permission to continue, Dr. Queen provides a framework built on the idea that the patient is in control and can leave whenever they want.
Read our reviews and check out our website to get more acquainted with us. Call ahead and speak with Kristi, who will be with you from the beginning of your appointment to the end. Set up a no-obligation, free consultation to see our office personally, so we can get to know one another. Often, your anxieties will be calmed when you are familiar with the surroundings and have an established rapport with Dr. Queen and his staff.
The more you delay–or just don’t go–to the dentist, the higher your risk of developing problems that will make psyching yourself up for future dental visits more difficult. In fact, seeing your dentist regularly can actually make the entire process, from making an appointment to floating through it, much easier on many levels.