Treating nervous patients

Approximately one in five* adults in Ireland claim to suffer from some kind of dental anxiety. However, feeling nervous about sitting in the dentist’s chair shouldn’t get in the way of maintaining good oral health.

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It’s important to remember that dentists are accustomed to working with nervous patients. By letting your dentist know you have some anxiety or dental phobia, they can take steps to make your visit as stress-free as possible.

Even if you’ve avoided going to the dental clinic for years as a result of your phobia, it’s never too late to make improvements to your oral health.

Reach out to your local Smiles Dental clinic and let them know your worries and fears. A member of our friendly team will be more than happy to help ease your anxiety, and let you know more about our modern techniques for comfortable dentistry.

What causes dental anxiety?

Dental anxiety can be caused by a range of things. Here are some common causes and how we can help you overcome them.

There are many reasons why people might feel anxious about going to the dentist. By understanding the causes of dental phobia, we can be more effective at proactively overcoming them.

Fear of needles
Trypanophobia – the fear of needles – is a common reason for avoiding visits to the dentist. If you are afraid of needles, speak to your Smiles Dental clinician. They can offer numbing gels which make any necessary injections less uncomfortable.

Fear of pain
Dentistry has come a long way over the past few decades, and most fears relating to pain during dental appointments are due to outdated notions of what actually happens during procedures. Some treatments might still be a little uncomfortable, but if anxiety is stopping you from caring for your oral health, speak to your Smiles Dentist about options such as local anaesthetics or dental sedation to help you feel more relaxed.

Negative previous experiences
Do you shudder at the memory of childhood dentist appointments? Bad past experiences can put people off regular visits to the dentist, but Smiles Dental clinicians are fully qualified and experienced at treating nervous patients, and want every visit to be a positive one. Simply put at your Smiles Dental clinic, you’re in the safest possible hands.

Loss of control
Lots of people don’t like the thought of not knowing what’s happening when their dentist is touching their teeth and mouth. Communicate this concern to your dentist prior to your appointment, and they can talk you through each step and keep you fully informed and relaxed.

Cost of treatment
Worrying about costs is a common source of stress and anxiety and causes many people to put off visiting the dentist. You’re not alone and we’re here to help – speak to your dentist about pricing options today.

How to ease dental phobia

We want every visit to a Smiles Dental clinic to be as relaxed and comfortable as possible. Ask our friendly team about our range of options to ease phobias and anxiety, including:

• Dental sedation
• Numbing creams to reduce discomfort
• Local anaesthetic for most treatments, and general anaesthetic for more complex treatments
• Familiarisation tours of the practice and introductions to dentists and clinicians
• Music or noise cancelling headphones
• Flexible appointments – some people feel less anxious when visiting the dentist in the morning

Please note that IV sedation for certain treatments and for nervous patients is available at our Galway Gate, Galway Quay, Dental Excellence and Dundrum clinics. Contact your dentist to find out more about sedation options for you.

Relieve dental anxiety with regular check-ups

No matter the cause of your anxiety, it’s important to remember that oral health is key to overall health and wellbeing, and visits to the dentist are vital for maintaining healthy teeth and gums. What’s more, your dentist can spot signs of more serious conditions before they worsen and require more extensive treatment.

We’re here for you. Contact your local Smiles Dental clinic today to discuss how we can make your next appointment the best it can be.

*Dental anxiety prevalence and surgery environment factors

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