If you fear going to the dentist, you are not alone. Most people have some sort of anxiety when it comes to doctors and dentist visits. Between 9% and 15% of Americans state they avoid going to the dentist because of fear and anxiety.
The first thing you should do is talk with your dentist. Here at Dr. Keefe’s office he sits down and talks to each new patient as well as current patients and explains the process thoroughly. The key to coping with dental anxiety is to discuss your fears with your dentist. Once your dentist knows what your fears are, he or she will be better able to work with you to determine the best ways to make you less anxious and more comfortable.
Today there are a number of strategies that can be used to help reduce fear, anxiety, and pain. These strategies include, the use of “drill-less dentistry” instead of the traditional drill for removing decay which is called air abrasion somewhat like a sandblaster and doesn’t make the noise regular drills do, application of a variety of mind/body pain and anxiety-reducing techniques (such as deep breathing). Here is a forum you can check out about dental phobia if you want to reach out to others who fear the dentist.
We want you to have a pleasant experience with us, so we have blankets, headphones and we are always here to talk you through the procedure. Let us know if you have any questions!
