If you start to get nervous just thinking about going to the dentist, you are not alone. Many Americans have dental anxiety and some even have a genuine phobia, dentophobia. Fear and anxiety keep them from maintaining regular visits with their dentist, which prevents regular check-ups and important preventative care from happening. Patients with dental anxiety are at a higher risk of dental complications and gum disease because of their lack of preventative care. The longer that someone procrastinates on making a dental visit, the more likely it is that preventable and treatable issues will worsen into real complications. In fact, a leading cause of dental anxiety is the fear that they have procrastinated too long. 

Understanding the cause of your anxiety

An important way to overcome your anxiousness is to get at the root cause of it. Did you have a previously traumatic event with a dentist? Are you afraid of possible pain? Are you embarrassed of the current state of your oral health? Do you fear that you have waited too long between visits? Are you afraid of the financial costs? Are you afraid of the potential diagnosis? If you can pinpoint the reason for your nerves, you may be better able to deal with them.

Talk it out

Your dental team wants to make you as comfortable as possible. They will not judge you. If you are able to tell them why you are nervous, they may be able to calm your nerves. Even if you just tell them that you are nervous without telling them a why, they still may be able to help. They can better care for you if they understand your concerns. Your dentist may offer sedation if the situation calls for it.

Don’t let dental anxiety keep you from care.

Dr. Richards can help ease your dental anxiety. Call the Dental Centre of Conroe at (936) 441-4600 to schedule a visit. Located in Conroe, TX, we also proudly serve the residents of Houston, The Woodlands, Willis, Montgomery, Magnolia, Huntsville, and all the surrounding communities.