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The health of your mouth acts as a mirror that reflects the condition of your body as a whole. When your mouth is healthy, chances are your overall health is good too. In addition, good oral health may actually prevent certain diseases from developing.
If the thought of visiting the dentist or undergoing a dental procedure causes feelings of fear or anxiety, you’re not alone. In fact, up to 75% of American adults report having some degree of dental anxiety, also known as anxiety about visiting the dentist. Each patient may have different reasons that contribute to their dental anxiety. In this blog, the team of experienced dentists at Boston Center for Oral Health will provide four tips on how to conquer dental anxiety in the New Year.
The Importance of Preventative Care
Before explaining some ways to help you overcome dental anxiety, it’s important to understand why preventative care is so critical. Preventative care, including regular exams and teeth cleanings, dental X-rays and home care, will help to keep your teeth and gums healthier. While fear of pain may be what keeps patients from scheduling an appointment for preventative care, the reality is that you are less likely to develop painful problems down the line, such as gum infections and jaw pain, if you visit the dentist for routine check-ups on an annual basis.
Tips for Conquering Dental Anxiety
Patient comfort is a top priority at Boston Center for Oral Health. We are committed to making each patient’s visit as seamless and stress-free as possible. Whether you’ve had a bad experience with a previous dentist or simply don’t feel comfortable in a dental office, we want to help.
Here are four tips from our Boston dentists to help you overcome your fears about visiting the dentist:
- Ask about sedation dentistry options – Sedation dentistry allows you to visit the dentist’s office and undergo dental procedures without experiencing any of the negative feelings, sounds or sensations that may cause your dental anxiety. Boston Center for Oral Health is a leading sedation dentistry practice in Boston, offering various types of conscious sedation. We offer both nitrous oxide and oral medications to help patients relax for all types of dental procedures.
- Communicate with our staff – Communicating with our staff about your dental anxiety is completely normal. In fact, we encourage you to do so. It’s ok to be nervous or ask for a break during your visit. We always want our patients to feel in control. By verbalizing your concerns, we’ll also be better able to tailor your visit to ensure the highest level of patient comfort.
- Make yourself at home in our office – Our state-of-the-art Back Bay dental practice is designed to make our patients feel at home. We encourage our patients to make themselves comfortable during their visit. If music helps you to relax, we invite you to bring your own music device to listen while you receive treatment.
- Bring a loved one to your visit – Having a loved one with you can make you feel more relaxed in an environment that otherwise might make you nervous. We encourage patients to bring a family member or friend with them to help ease their dental anxiety. If you are undergoing sedation dentistry, having someone to accompany you home is especially important.
Don’t Let Anxiety Keep You From Getting the Dental Care You Deserve
Dental anxiety is something that millions of Americans face and it’s nothing to be embarrassed about. At Boston Center for Oral Health, we are committed to making our patients feel as comfortable as possible when they walk through our doors. So if the thought of going to the dentist provokes feelings of anxiety, fear or shame, you are not alone. We want every patient to be able to access the high quality dental care they need, without worrying about the negative feelings or sensations normally associated with a trip to the dentist.
Our dentists have many years of experience treating patients with dental anxiety and dental phobia. To find out more about how we can help and what sedation dentistry options we offer, the first step is to contact our office. You can also get started by filling out the appointment request form on this page. Be sure to communicate your concerns with our office staff so that we can ensure your visit is tailored to your every need.