Whether it is due to fear of possible pain, fear of losing control or simply fear of the unknown, dental anxiety is quite common. If your dental anxiety is so disabling that it prevents you from receiving the professional care you need, Dr. Jason Keefe and our team can help. Read on as we share our best strategies to overcome dental anxiety.
Having a Compassionate Dentist
The first step toward overcoming dental fears is having a dentist like Dr. Keefe, who is friendly, compassionate and wants to help you. Dr. Keefe is a highly rated dentist with a knack for making patients feel at ease. He has many years of experience treating highly anxious or nervous patients, and underwent special training to become certified in oral conscious sedation from the highly recognized Dental Organization for Conscious Sedation (DOCS).
Dr. Keefe’s top dental assistants and dental hygienists provide warmth and compassion to make your visit feel safe and comfortable. The office atmosphere at 5 Mile Smiles is more “spa-like” than clinical. This type of environment immediately helps calm any anxiety and relieve any stress you may feel when arriving for your appointment.
Consider Sedation Dentistry Techniques
Oral conscious sedation is a form of sedation dentistry, which helps make dental treatment more tolerable for nervous or anxious patients. As opposed to using the typical IV for sedation, which can make some patients uncomfortable, Dr. Keefe prescribes oral medications. These medications help sedate patients and take away anxiety to make appointments more comfortable.
Talk to the Dental Staff
Knowledge is one of the most powerful ways to neutralize fears. You might find it easiest to cope with your anxiety if you have detailed information about what happens during treatment. If that is the case, talk to Dr. Keefe and the 5 Mile Smiles staff and understand what will take place during your appointment. You may request that they walk you through the appointment step by step, explaining what is happening at every interval. And, you might find it useful and empowering to learn more from Dr. Keefe about the instruments and technology he plans to use.
Distract Yourself
On the other hand, you might prefer to be distracted and think about other things while your treatment is taking place. Listening to a funny podcast or audiobook during your appointment is a great way to distract yourself. Visualization and deep breathing techniques can also help calm you and take your mind off of dental treatment.
For more information about conquering dental anxiety and receiving the professional care you need, please contact the team at 5 Mile Smiles today.
