Going to the Dentist With Dental Anxiety and Fear
If you have dental anxiety, or you fear going to the dentist in general, we have solutions to put you at ease during your appointment and to create the ultimate dental experience you deserve. We want to change your relationship towards going to the dentist because your oral health is too important to let fear stop you from a healthy smile!
What is Dental Anxiety?
Dental Anxiety is a term used to describe fear, stress, or anxiousness towards dentistry and receiving dental care. If you suffer from this anxiety, you are not alone. Around 80% of US adults experience anxiety towards the dentist to some degree, ranging from mild to severe. At Higginbotham Family Dental, we want to change the way people feel towards the dentist by delivering an EXTRAordinary dental experience! Our staff is trained and equipped to cater to patients with dental anxiety, no matter the severity. We want each of our patients to always feel comfortable speaking with our dentists and staff regarding their fears, feelings, or concerns.
How We Ease Dental Anxiety:
Because dental fear and anxiety are so common, we have several solutions to ease our patients’ dental fear. Dr. Higginbotham and his associates offer the following at our dental offices:
- oral conscious sedation (locations may vary)
- digital nitrous with virtual googles
- nitrous oxide (gas)
- anti-anxiety medication
- IV sedation
- You can find more information about the services listed above on our Sedation Dentistry Page.
Amenities we offer to provide ultimate patient comfort
We believe every patient deserves the best dental experience possible, and therefore we provide the following amenities to relax our patients:
- Anti-Anxiety Medication
- Neck pillows
- Blankets
- Television Remote
- Bottled Water
- Hot Coffee
- Headphones
- Free Wi-Fi for Patients
FAQs about Dental Anxiety
Can my dentist provide anti-anxiety medication?
Yes, we are a dentist that provides anti-anxiety medication. We can prescribe you medication that you can take 1-2 hours before your scheduled appointment. For more information about this, you can text or call your local office.
How common is dental anxiety?
Dental fear and anxiety are more common than one would think. Around 80% of the US population suffers from some degree of dental anxiety. You are not alone in this, and we want to give you the dental experience you deserve!
What happens if I haven’t been to the dentist in years?
We first want to say, do not let being embarrassed by how long it’s been since you’ve been to the dentist stop you from being seen! HFD is a judge-free zone, and all we are worried about is getting your smile back to its optimal health. Avoiding the dentist can lead to major health problems that could have been prevented, such as oral cancer, gum disease, early tooth decay detection, and so on. Over 33,000 Americans are diagnosed with oral cancer each year, and early detection of this disease could save your life. Dental disease is also suspected to lead to major health problems such as heart disease, strokes, and pancreatic cancer.
How do I deal with Dental Anxiety?
Communicate with your dentist and his team. We promise you are not the only one with this fear, and we want to know your concerns!
Limit your caffeine intake to avoid increasing your anxiety.
Book your appointment in the morning. The mornings tend to be less stressful and less busy.
When you schedule your appointment, ask what your options are for dental anxiety, and we will find the best option for you!
Enjoy our amenities such as a cozy blanket, headphones, and neck pillows. You can even change the channel to your favorite TV show!