Dental phobias; how our dentist can help

Are you dreading your next dental appointment? You aren’t alone; as many as 1 in 7 dental patients worry about dental check-ups!

At Spa Dental, our dentist Sydney has worked with many patients suffering from dental anxiety and can provide a calming, judgement-free environment to help you feel as comfortable as possible.

Here, our dentist Sydney discusses what is meant by a dental phobia, how it can impact your life and how our team will aim to help treat this very common issue.

What is dental anxiety?

In short, dental anxiety, fear, aversion or phobia is an intense concern or worry that is associated with being in a dental setting. It can range from mild heart palpitations when in the dental chair to full-blown panic attacks when walking past a dental surgery and so if you have a dental phobia, it is important to seek treatment for it.

Our dentist Sydney deals with a fair few patients who have dental anxiety and we can offer you a range of ways to relax when you come to our surgery.

Complications that come from dental anxiety

Unfortunately, dental phobia rarely comes without associated issues.

Aside from the emotional and mental distress that can be devastating, dental anxiety also often causes patients to bury their heads in the sand when it comes to attending dental check-ups, which invariably leads to secondary complications.

Patients who suffer from dental phobias often also suffer from a higher rate of dental emergencies, dental extractions and other invasive procedures that could be avoided. Therefore, if you have concerns that you have a dental phobia and are eager to have your teeth looked at, then please call our team today.

Treating phobias

At Spa Dental, we know how scary attending a dental check-up can be, especially if you have a dental phobia.

And so, we will always treat our more nervous patients with compassion and understanding, allowing you to set the pace of the appointment. If you have extreme concerns, we can offer you options to help you relax, such as distractions like listening to music, watching television or, if needed, sedatives.

If you have intravenous sedatives, we must insist that you bring along a friend or family member to accompany you and ensure that you get home safely after the appointment. You should also refrain from operating heavy machinery for a minimum of 24 hours after you have had intravenous sedation.

Maintenance

As mentioned before, one of the key ways that people with dental phobias can exacerbate issues with their teeth and dental health is by avoiding dental check-ups.

Therefore, once you have taken the plunge and attended your first check-up with our team, it is important that you keep the ball rolling and continue to attend check-ups every 6 months or as needed.

If you experience a dental emergency, our team will aim to resolve it for you within 24 hours of you contacting the surgery. We know how overwhelming dental phobias can be, especially when you are faced with an oral emergency, but it is important that you seek help as soon as possible to prevent discomfort and secondary complications.

DISCLAIMER

All treatment carries risks. Individual consultation is required with one of our practitioners to ensure that the treatment is right for you.