How to Fight Your Fear of Going to Dental Appointments*

Fear of attending a dental appointment usually stems from an incident that occurred in childhood, but it can also be caused by listening to other people’s negative experiences. Whatever the reason for your fear, it is not one that is easy to combat quickly. However, you will be pleased to know that there is hope and by following these tips, you should be able to make and attend a dental appointment with ease.

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Talk about it
The problem with not attending regular appointments is that you can put your oral health in jeopardy. As you have been searching for ways to combat your fear, you are probably at the stage where a dental appointment is imperative. Fighting a phobia under pressure is even more difficult than usual and you will therefore need to tackle the fear immediately. The best way to do this is to speak with the dental professionals, be this the dental hygienist, the dentist or the dental nurse. Tell them precisely what it is that fills you with fear. Is it the noise of the drill? The fear of pain or of specific treatments such as having braces fitted? Perhaps, you are not entirely sure why you feel this way. Discussing everything and knowing your options will help you overcome your fears.

Choose professionals that listen
Take this opportunity to research your local dental clinics to find a dentist in Edinburgh that will accommodate your specific needs. This could be anything from ensuring they are patient and understanding to finding professionals in your area that are experienced in sedation dentistry should they feel that it would be beneficial for any treatment you need.

Take a friend
Some people find it helps to have someone they know with them during their appointment. Many do not even consider this to be an option but are then relieved to learn that it is perfectly acceptable to have someone with you during a check-up or a procedure. A friend can help to alleviate any tension felt and can also act as a spokesperson should you be too anxious to vocalise how you are feeling. It can help to agree some sort of code such as squeezing of a hand to indicate if you want the procedure to stop at any point, so your friend can relay this to the dental professionals.

Agree a signal
If you don’t take a friend with you, or you prefer to attend the appointment alone, agreeing a signal to indicate you wish the treatment to stop at any time can help alleviate anxiety. This doesn’t necessarily have to be a signal to indicate pain and can be used at any time you feel uncomfortable or wish to discuss something with the dental professional.

Book an early appointment
It is best to get the appointment over and done with at the beginning of the day, so you don’t spend the entire day worrying about it. Explain the situation to the dental receptionist and ask for an early appointment. Morning appointments can be popular so do be prepared to be flexible about what day is available to you.