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Been Years Since You’ve Seen a Dentist? Here’s How to Prep
Cherrywood Dental • Apr 11, 2018
If dental anxiety is the reason behind why you’ve been putting off going to the dentist, it probably took a lot for you to make that exam appointment. Maybe the reason behind you finally scheduling a visit is consistent discomfort from tooth pain, or perhaps you have decided to conquer your fear of the dentist once and for all.
We have some tips to help ease you back into the dental chair and put your mind at ease when it comes to recommitting to dental checkups.
Identify the Potential Cause of Your Dental Anxiety
Try to think back to when your anxiety over visiting the dentist began. For most patients who experience dental anxiety, it’s something that’s been with them for years, sometimes even since childhood.
What are the main causes of dental anxiety?
Fear of the Unknown
The unknown is the root of many other types of anxiety, and not knowing exactly what is going to happen when you visit the dentist’s office can cause someone to become fearful. Having fear of the dentist finding issues such as cavities, gum disease, or even the need for something more serious like a root canal can have a patient worrying about potential treatments, pain, and the unknown costs to fix these types of issues.
Negative Past Dental Experiences
If you’ve had an uncomfortable dental exam or procedure in the past, then you will find it more difficult to be open to future dental care. These experiences often stem from childhood, as children are nervous about what their exams might be like and what the final outcome will be.
Fear of Needles
Other fears that can be related to dental care can also cause someone to have dental anxiety. You may have another phobia such as a fear of needles or sensitive gag reflex, and these stressors can prevent you from receiving dental care comfortably.
Find a Dentist You Feel Comfortable With
The right dental office should feel comforting and soothing. Crowded facilities and dated equipment will only heighten your dental anxiety. Finding a practice with a friendly and communicative staff will help you in easing your anxiety. Before choosing a provider, check out testimonials and reviews of the office ahead of time so you can have a glimpse of what being a patient of that practice is really like (for better or worse).
When looking for a provider that is a good fit for you, be sure to:
- Look for a provider that makes you feel listened to and cared for
- Read patient reviews online
- Ask around and find out what friends and family members have a dentist they love and would recommend
- Let your dentist know you have dental anxiety and are a little nervous! We’re here to help calm your nerves.
Focus on the Positives
If you experience dental anxiety, it’s probably been longer than 6 months since you were last seen by a dentist for a checkup. Scheduling an exam will help improve your anxiety for a few reasons.
- The sooner you see a professional, the sooner you can know exactly what’s going on in your mouth. You may have gingivitis or gum disease, cavities, or other conditions that are causing you to live in discomfort and pain.
- You’re more likely to avoid serious dental problems by receiving regular preventative care, and catching issues while they are still minor and inexpensive to treat.
- Replacing negative dental experiences with positive ones will help reduce bad memories and replace them with great new ones.
Signs of dental problems that will be resolved with an exam
There are certain signs that it’s time to see a dentist sooner, rather than later.
- Yellow teeth – This can mean plaque buildup and poor oral hygiene. A teeth cleaning will help remove external stains and eliminate plaque for a fresh start.
- Swollen gums – Gums that are swollen or bleeding are a sign you may have gingivitis, the first stage of gum disease. Gingivitis is simple to treat, and can be improved with better oral hygiene.
- Bad breath – Can signify you have a cavity, and can also be a sign of gum disease from increased bacteria in the mouth.
- Receding gums – Your gums can recede for reasons related to gum disease, or it could be an effect of long-term teeth grinding. Too much recession can lead to tooth loss.
Don’t let fear stop you from having a healthy smile. Cherrywood Dental Associates will do everything we can to ensure you feel comfortable and relaxed through all of your dental checkups and treatments, and we are proud to offer laser dental treatments that offer a more pleasant dental experience to our patients.
Can’t remember the last time you walked through the dentist door? Schedule a checkup with us today!