Coping with Dental Anxiety

Are you nervous or scared when thinking about visiting the dentist? You're not alone! Fearing a poor assessment of your oral health or a procedure that may be painful could be the root of your fears. If you find yourself anxious in the dental office, consider the following to help reduce potential anxiety.

Prepare ahead of time to reduce stress

Book your appointment during a low-stress time of day. This may help you not feel rushed and stressed to get there on time. Avoiding caffeine before a dental appointment and eating high-protein, low-sugar foods may help you feel calm or less agitated.

Let us know!

We can help! Not only is our team well-qualified to take care of your teeth and gums, but we’re here to help you make your visit as enjoyable as possible! We have many tools and toys to help distract you or keep your mind better occupied during your visit. These include headphones and televisions in our hygiene or procedure rooms. You may simply prefer an understanding and helpful voice to walk you through what to expect.

Breathing relaxation

Before you begin your appointment, consider a deep breathing relaxing exercise. Inhale slowly and then exhale for the same length of time. Repeat this while you’re waiting for your appointment, or during breaks while you’re sitting in the dental chair. Focusing on your breathing may help to centre yourself and reduce anxiety.

Opt for Nitrous Oxide

Nitrous Oxide or laughing gas could be a great solution for dental anxiety. Laughing gas benefits people who have extremely sensitive teeth, gag reflexes, or are afraid of needles, dental drills and other tools.

The gas is administered through a mask placed over the nose of the patient. After 30 seconds to 5 minutes of breathing, the patient begins to feel a pleasant level of sedation or calmness. 

After the gas has been adjusted to the appropriate dose and the patient is relaxed and sedated we can proceed with treatment. Throughout the entire process, you will be monitored by our specially-trained dental team.

Dental anxiety keeps many sufferers away from receiving the proper dental care they need; which can lead to compounding oral issues in the future. If anxiety has been keeping you from the dentist, try the personal strategies above to reduce stress and speak to a member of our team! Book an appointment with us and be sure to mention nitrous oxide for a low-anxiety check-up.