Studies show that as many as 40 million Americans knowingly avoid visiting the dentist due to fear and anxiety. Dr. Michael Stern and his staff at Smile Brighter Willoughby Hills want you to feel comfortable coming into their office for your dental needs. They are committed to patient comfort and will take your anxiety and fear seriously to make you feel at ease during visits.
People fear dentists for different reasons, all of which are very personal to the patient. Some fear anticipated pain, others have trust issues and don’t like the lack of control they have when a dentist is working in their mouth. Additional causes could be due to a negative past experience. The biggest problem with dental anxiety is that it can lead to serious oral health problems in the long run.
Lower stress with trust and communication
Good communication between patient and dentist is one of the most important factors in overcoming dental anxiety. A simple conversation during which information of what to expect is laid out can go a long way in allowing the patient to feel both informed and in control during a visit. Having trust in your dentist and discussing your fears and anxieties in a frank manner are also big helps as your dentist will then be able to put a plan in action to make you feel as comfortable and stress-free as possible.
Tips for staying calm during a dental visit
If you are experiencing fear or anxiety regarding an upcoming visit, here are a few tips for dealing with it:
- Share your fears – Have an honest conversation with your dentist. Inform them of any fears you have and allow them to adapt the treatment to your needs.
- Listen to music – If the sound of the drill is a trigger to your anxiety, bring some music and headphones with you that you can put on during the procedure.
- Use hand signals – Empowering yourself through the use of hand signals will allow you to feel as if you have some control over the procedure. Agree on a signal with your dentist so that, if you need them to stop, you can just throw out the signal and your dentist will immediately recognize it.
- Focus on breathing – When nervous, people will often hold their breath. This cuts off oxygen levels which, in turn, further increases feelings of panic. Developing a breathing technique that keeps oxygen intake constant will produce a calming effect.
Whatever your fear or anxiety may be stemming from, Dr. Michael Stern and his team are here for you. They offer gentle dental care and various sedation methods that will help you achieve calm during needed dental procedures. They want you to be as comfortable and anxiety free as is possible. Please give him a call at (440) 210-0999 today to set up an appointment or consultation, even if it’s just to come in and have a talk about your fears.