Blog

You are DEFINITELY not alone.

The sounds of drills and those sharp scary looking dentist tools can be enough to scare anyone away.

Sometimes it can be a bad dentist experience as a child that still haunts us as adults.  It’s not uncommon to lose sleep the night before a dentist appointment.  We know the fear is real – and we see it every day.

But these days, a trip to the dentist doesn’t have to be terrifying.

Our team prides itself on making sure you (or your child) feel safe and comfortable right from the start.  At Campbelltown Dental Care we like to think we are experts in building trust and reassurance, with our little patients as well as our bigger ones.

The importance of oral hygiene and taking care of our teeth is a no brainer – so learning to minimise fear and anxiety of the dentist is pretty important. Here are some of our tips:

What can you do to overcome your fear? 

1. Let us know!

Dental phobia is real. It is really important to let us know that you are feeling scared or anxious.

That way we can talk you through the procedure and explain the dental instruments we are using so that you have a clear understanding and idea of what to expect.

Sometimes knowledge is key, and we are always very happy to talk you through the procedure, step by step. We are a compassionate team and we understand fear, so we will do whatever we can to reassure you, or your child.

On our part, we will always look out for signs that you, or your child, are anxious or stressed in the chair, and we will stop, go slow, or give you a rest.

2. Make regular appointments

Unfortunately, putting off dental appointments can begin a cycle that just increases fear of the dentist.  Procrastination is your enemy.

Only going when your teeth or gums are sore and swollen won’t turn the dental trip into a good one.

Regular visits will also help you familiarise yourself with the clinic and our staff. You will be greeted with a warm smile and a friendly face when you enter our Campbelltown practice and that will also help remove some of the anxiety.

3. Bring a friend – or earbuds

Sometimes asking a friend or a loved one to accompany you during your appointment can help.  They can be a reassuring distraction especially in the waiting room when anxiety sometimes peaks.

Bringing noise-cancelling headphones or ear buds with your favourite music can also help to relax you.

4. Happy Gas

For those clients who have a serious case of dental phobia – at Campbelltown Dental Care we offer dental treatment under Nitrous Oxide, otherwise known as ‘happy gas’.

Happy gas can be the perfect solution if you are feeling anxious and overwhelmed.

All you need to do is lay back and relax, and think happy thoughts, while the dentist does the work.

We have another distraction of the non-gas variety.  Netflix!  Yes, come along for a dental check-up, gaze up at the ceiling, and catchup on your favourite TV binge or if you prefer, ask us to play some calming music on Spotify.

Even if you struggle beforehand, it is possible to walk out of the dentist feeling good.  You may even find it a pleasant experience – we’d sure like to think so.

If you would like to conquer your fears, then please give us a call on (02) 4620 4062 or (02) 4620 5919.  We can also provide you with more information on dental work under nitrous oxide.

We believe in dental excellence and compassionate care – so if you know someone with an avid fear of dentists, let them know we will do whatever we can to reassure them.

 

Share