Many people are scared of having dental work done, but it’s possible to deal with anxiety in a number of ways.

Many people suffer from dental anxiety. In fact, fear of the dentist often forces people to put off important dental treatment until an issue becomes too severe to ignore. We understand that you may feel nervous about making an appointment, but we encourage all of our patients to be proactive about their oral health. The earlier we can identify and resolve an issue, the better — it’s often possible to avoid complex procedures when problems are diagnosed quickly. If you suffer from dental anxiety, read on for some tips on coping with it…

Choose a dentist you trust 

One of the best steps you can take towards achieving and maintaining a healthy smile is to find a dentist that makes you feel safe and well cared for. Choose a professional who is qualified and experienced in the field and one with whom you feel comfortable discussing your concerns. Don’t be afraid to tell your dentist that you feel anxious about receiving dental treatment and ask for more information on the options available to you. At Marriott & Hand, our team is compassionate and gentle. We will do our best to make you feel comfortable at each appointment, and are available to address any worries you might have regarding your treatment.

Find a comfortable space 

Once you have chosen a dentist, be sure that you feel comfortable in their practice. Get to know the staff and let them know if there is anything in particular that you need. It’s natural to want to feel relaxed before and during your treatment, so choose a practice with a calm atmosphere. Along with a friendly staff and tranquil space, you’ll also want to choose a practice that has state-of-the-art technology and equipment to ensure that you are given the best possible dental treatment.

Consider sedation dentistry

If you really feel anxious about receiving dental treatment, you might consider sleep and sedation dentistry. At Marriott & Hand, we provide a number of options, varying from a mild inhalant that relaxes the nerves and takes the edge off anxiety, all the way to a general anaesthetic.

If you choose to have an inhalant, you will breathe in a special gas that will help you to relax. Your dentist will be able to control the amount of sedation that you receive and the effects typically wear off quite soon after your procedure. Some patients choose to have a number of treatments performed in a single appointment; in which case, sedation may be recommended. While there are some risks associated with sedation and sleep dentistry, it is generally very safe and effective and can be very helpful for patients who suffer from dental anxiety.

At Marriott & Hand, we pride ourselves on providing top quality care to each of our patients. You are, after all, an individual! If you feel anxious about receiving dental treatment, we encourage you to raise any concerns with our team. Find out more about our practice, team and philosophy here. To see some of the results we have achieved for our patients, please take a look at our smile gallery.