According to Statistics Canada, nearly 1 in 2 Canadians report a strong fear of visiting the dentist. Dental anxiety can hold people back from booking or attending their dental appointments, leading to last minute cancellations. Delaying regular visits to the dentist means any dental concerns will continue to progress, potentially needing more severe treatment in the future. Dental anxiety may feel unbeatable, but there’s methods you can use to prepare for your appointment and get the care you receive.
Tips for those struggling with dental anxiety:
- Communicate with the dental team: Let the dental professionals know what triggers your dental anxiety and if there’s any accomodations they can make to have your experience as stress-free as possible.
- Do breathing excercises: While waiting to be seen, practice some breathing excercises to help calm your nervous system
- Distractions: Music or a podcast can help you focus on something else during the procedure
- Ask for breaks: For longer procedures, create a signal with your dentist to communicate when you need a breaks
- Sedation: Speak to your dentist about if sedation/anesthesia is fit for you
Dental anxiety is a common condition that more people struggle with then we realize. This is why its our job as dental professionals to ensure our patients feel as comfortable and safe as possible. If you have any questions or want more information, we invite you to call our team at The Smile Team in Scarborough, Toronto, Ontario, today at 416-546-5599. We look forward to helping you in any way we can, and we thank you for the opportunity!