How to overcome dental anxiety

How to overcome dental anxiety

Are you feeling nervous about your dentist appointment?

We understand that you could be feeling nervous about your next dental appointment. Whether you are a patient that has missed their last few routine check-ups or you are anxiously awaiting a dental procedure, that feeling of dread can begin to take over. Here at Smil, we will work with you to understand your dental anxiety and help you to overcome it.

At our warm and welcoming practice in Kent, our team will proudly take the time to ensure you feel comfortable throughout your appointment. We work hard to build a trusting relationship with each and every one of our patients, aspiring to be a clinic you can come to about your concerns. If you’re feeling nervous about attending your next dentist appointment, let us know and we’ll go the extra mile to put you at ease.

Let us talk you through dental anxiety and how we can help you can overcome it.

Why am I feeling nervous before my dentist appointment?

Did you know that 53% of the UK population suffers from fear or anxiety when visiting the dentist?
If you’re experiencing dental anxiety, you’re not alone. 

There are a number of reasons you could be feeling nervous before your dentist appointment, such as:

An unpleasant appointment

Perhaps you have already had a bad experience at the dentist. Maybe this stems from childhood and you remember a painful or frightening procedure. Children don’t always understand what is going on when they visit the dentist, so it’s easy for unpleasant associations to form and last through to adulthood. 

Here at Smil, our Kent dentists will make sure that your procedure is as painless as possible. We will discuss with you exactly what pain relief is included within your treatment plan, keeping you informed about what to expect before, during and after your appointment.

The fear of the unknown

The fear of the unknown can make any one of us feel on edge. Not knowing what to expect from an upcoming appointment or procedure could be making you feel anxious. When you visit the best dentists in Kent, our experienced clinicians will provide you with an open space to ask any questions you may have about your treatment plan. 

To ease your fear of the unknown, we will keep you in the loop throughout your procedure and take the time to explain things to you properly. Our friendly team is always available to share their advice and guidance about what to expect from your visit to our practice.

Embarrassed about your oral hygiene

If you haven’t kept on top of your oral hygiene and regularly attended check-ups at our practice, you could be feeling embarrassed. You may be experiencing symptoms like bad breath and discolouration, which could lead you to feel ashamed about what your dentist might think. 

There is no need to be embarrassed about your oral hygiene. Our experienced team will not judge you. During your appointment, we will carefully diagnose your oral health issues and discuss the next steps with you. Our clinicians will come up with a plan that encourages you to take care of your oral hygiene once you have left our practice.

What to do if you’re nervous about your dentist appointment

Here at Smil, we do not believe in a one-size-fits-all approach. We understand that each patient is an individual and what works for one may not work for another.

Below are just some of the ways we help our patients overcome their dental anxiety.

Discuss your anxiety with our dentists

If you’re feeling nervous before your dentist appointment, let us know. We can keep you distracted throughout your appointment by talking to you.

Our clinicians will be able to tell you exactly what’s going to happen and when, keeping you in the loop the entire time. We can show you what dental instruments are being used and exactly what for. Talking about your anxiety can help to relieve it.

Don’t be afraid to ask questions

Our friendly team are always available to answer any questions you may have. Whether you’d like to learn more about your treatment plan or how to best prepare yourself for an upcoming procedure, we’re here to listen and help.

Bring a loved one with you to your appointment

Bringing a friend or a family member to your dental appointment can go a long way. They may be able to provide some moral support that will help to ease your mind. If you’ve got a routine appointment coming up and would like a loved one to attend with you, just let a member of our team know.

Let us help you overcome your dental anxiety

Our clinicians understand that it’s important to find a dentist you’re comfortable with. Here at Smil, we will listen to you and understand your fears, without trivialising them. We understand how debilitating dental anxiety can be and will do everything we can to put you at ease before, during and after your appointment. 

Our friendly team go out of their way to provide not only a welcoming atmosphere but a calm one too. 

Your comfort is at the heart of everything we do. If you’d like to bring a friend or a relaxing playlist along with you to keep you distracted during your appointment, just say the word.

If your dental anxiety goes beyond nerves and feels more like a phobia, it may be worth speaking to a counsellor with professional experience.
To learn more about how we can help you overcome your dental anxiety, get in touch with our compassionate team today. Call us now on 01634 756 536.