English 
Spanish 
How to Overcome Your Fear of Visiting the Dentist
Dental anxiety is a real condition that affects about 36% of the population. The fear of visiting the dentist is a normal concern that can impact people from all walks of life and ages. Patients who experience anxiety can feel a range of mild stress to severe panic. The cause for this nervousness varies from past traumas, a sense of lack of control, fear of pain, or other reasons.
If you experience dental anxiety, you must address this issue immediately to prevent stressful visits to the dentist or a decline in oral health from avoiding dental procedures.
We’ll discuss helpful strategies that can help you overcome the fear of dental visits and how you can get rid of the stress you experience.
What is Dental Anxiety?
According to the Better Health Channel, dental anxiety is a condition of stress or fear associated with having dental procedures. This state can lead to avoidance or procrastination of dental care. Various things can trigger an anxiety episode such as dental settings, needles, or the sound of drills.
Choosing the Proper Dental Team is Key
Not all dental clinics are created equal. At Carolina Dental Arts, we help patients with dental anxiety overcome their fears. With precise strategies and support, we can help transform your stressful dental visits into a positive experience. It is important to choose a dental team that understands your condition and makes accommodations to help you have a joyful journey to excellent oral health.
Engage in Honest Communication
It is extremely helpful for you to be open and honest with your dentist. Express any worries or fears you may have about your visit. In addition, you and your dentist can establish non-verbal signals that allow your dental team to figure out what you are feeling at any time during procedures.
You don’t have to worry about being a patient that requires special care. Our dental team sees a variety of patients and likes to go above and beyond to make your visits to our clinic as pleasant as can be.
Gradually Overcoming Your Dental Anxiety
Some people experience intense anxiety and may need to gradually overcome their fear. In these cases, it is recommended that you gradually expose yourself to dental procedures until you reach a point where you no longer experience significant anxiety or stress.
Choose a Supportive Companion For Your Visits
It is beneficial for you to reach out to a trusted friend or family member who can accompany you to your dental appointments. By having their company, you will feel more emotionally supported and secure. The simple fact that someone you trust is around to help can make a huge difference in the amount of stress and anxiety you experience during your visit.
Learn Relaxation Techniques
Practicing relaxation techniques helps people in all types of situations. If you suffer from dental anxiety, chances are that you start to hyperventilate, your body becomes rigid, and you feel an uncomfortable sensation in the pit of your stomach. Learning deep breathing exercises and practicing daily meditation are great ways to make you calmer and more confident in any setting.
You can also learn progressive muscle relaxation techniques that help you relax your entire body and effectively calm your nerves during your dental visits.
The Power of Distractions
Using distractions is an effective way to take your mind away from the dental procedure and help you focus on something pleasant. Shifting your focus away from the discomfort of being at the dental clinic, and instead, paying attention to something you enjoy can lower your anxiety immensely.
Effective distractions include audiobooks, music, or even virtual reality goggles. Your mind will be engaged in something that makes you calm and you will more easily forget about any fears you may have.
Sedation For Severe Anxiety
Depending on the level of anxiety you feel during dental appointments, you may want to explore sedation options with your dentist. This method is reserved for only extremely severe cases of anxiety. Therapies include oral sedatives, nitrous oxide (laughing gas), or IV sedation. With sedation, you will feel completely relaxed and will not be fully aware of the dental procedure.
Consider Desensitization Therapy
An innovative way to desensitize yourself to the stress of dental procedures is to use virtual reality imagery or simulations. You can discuss this approach with your dentist to help you gradually rewire your brain’s response to a dental environment. This strategy is very effective over time instead of having an immediate result. It is certainly worth exploring!
Use Positive Visualization
A powerful technique that can enhance all aspects of your life is positive visualization. To overcome dental anxiety, positive visualizations help you mentally practice scenarios in your mind where you feel relaxed, confident, and calm during dental procedures. The more you practice this technique, you’ll start to notice a change in your perception of dental environments.
A Therapeutic Approach With Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
If you want to dive deeper into the cause of your dental anxiety, you can see a therapist who specializes in CBT. This approach allows you to discover the root causes of your dental anxiety and fears. You will be able to recondition your brain to a new way of thinking and probably overcome other emotional issues that may be affecting other parts of your life.
Use Rewards to Motivate Yourself
Another great way to encourage you to get over your dental anxiety is by using a reward system. After a successful dental appointment, reward yourself with something that elevates you. Perhaps you can treat yourself to a massage, a favorite activity, or anything that motivates you to feel more relaxed during your dental appointments.
Discover the Ease of Visiting Carolina Dental Arts
At Carolina Dental Arts, we understand that having dental procedures can be challenging for some patients. We provide a compassionate atmosphere with a gentle approach that makes our patients feel at home. Additionally, we encourage patients to communicate their feelings with us to provide special accommodations that can help them overcome stress or anxiety.
Our mission is for each patient to have the best experience no matter which procedure they are having at our dental clinic. Discover the ease of visiting Carolina Dental Arts and enjoy the best oral health you can have in Raleigh, New Bern Ave, Goldsboro, Durham, and surrounding areas.
Call us today to schedule your appointment!
