Tips to Reduce Dental Anxiety and Fear

More than 35 million people never see a dentist because they’re scared. Seeing a San Pablo dentist regularly greatly reduces the chances of having to do any of the procedures you may fear. Plus, untreated dental problems can wind up be much more painful than anything you’d imagine experiencing at the dentist. Here are some tips help you face your fears and feel more at ease:

• Talk to us – Hard as it may be to talk about your emotions with us, please remember that we sincerely care about your comfort and are happy to do whatever we can to make you feel more at ease.
• Bring a music player with headphones – Music, especially when listened to with noise canceling headphones, has a doubly calming effect in the dentist’s chair since it’s not only relaxing to listen to your favorite music, it also helps drown out any anxiety-provoking noises.
• Agree on a “stop” signal – Before we get started, tell us how you want to signal us if you want to stop. That way you can be sure we’ll know immediately, and stop to do what’s necessary to make you feel better.
• Use throat spray – Just two or three sprays of a throat spray, such as Vicks®️ or Chloraseptic®️, can actually control keep any gag reflex under control for an hour.
• Sedation – If there is no other way to cope, sedation offers an excellent option for many people. There are several types of sedation, but the general premise behind them is the same: the patient regains their faculties after treatment is complete.
• Ask about alternatives – As a rule, if there’s a less-anxiety provoking option, we’ll offer it. Just ask so you can be sure. We’re equipped to do dental microsurgery, which means less cutting and less stitches, not to mention less time spent in our office.