Overcoming Dental Anxiety

MANY OF US, even though we know that going to the dentist is a safe, normal, and important part of life, don’t find it particularly fun to lie flat on our backs while someone pokes around our teeth and gums. For some, though, the very thought of visiting the dentist fills them with anxiety, and it could even be a full-blown phobia. That’s why here at Higginbotham Family Dental we like to put our focus on helping our patients overcome their dental anxieties and fears.

Dental Anxiety Stats

Fear of going to the dentist is fairly common, with an estimated nine to 15 percent of Americans completely avoiding visiting the dentist because of anxiety and fear. That means up to 40 million Americans are taking a serious gamble with their dental health. Putting off a basic twice-a-year cleaning out of fear leaves patients much more susceptible to tooth decay and painful infection. It’s always better to view dental care as preventative, not just reactive.

Your Friendly Neighborhood Dentist

If you’re worried about going to the dentist, that might be because history and pop culture have given you the wrong idea. Before WWII made anesthetics the norm, dental procedures were uncomfortable, to say the least, but the field has come a long way since then. Modern dental offices maintain a high standard of comfort and care for patients.

Advice For Overcoming Dental Anxiety

For patients who are nervous about coming to a new office, we recommend starting with a free consultation. During this initial visit patients have the opportunity to see the office and meet the staff and dentist. This can often times help patients of all ages feel better and more at ease about their treatment or cleaning appointment.

To assist with a patients comfort and relaxation, most of our locations also provide such amenities as a neck pillow, soft blanket, massaging chair, and headphones that allow your choice of music drown out any outside noises. For a fee, we can even provide nervous patients with other means to ease their anxiety such as Nitrous gas, medication taken an hour before treatment, conscious sedation, and sometimes even full sedation at an oral surgeon’s office.

During the consultation appointment we would be happy to talk to nervous patients about which option is personally best for them to move forward with their treatment.

We Will Work With You!

Your care and comfort are our top priorities. If you or someone in your family struggles with dental anxiety and it’s interfering with getting needed dental care, we’d love to schedule a time for you to come to our practice so that you can get used to the facility and get to know our team. We can answer any questions you may have.

We hope to see you soon!