Fall is usually that time of the year when we see a surge of patients coming in for their routine dental cleanings and exams. This makes our team at Edgewood Dental Care quite happy!

The same is true for patients, especially first timers. The story is always the same, how they all come bounding into our Edgewood dental office, humming a similar happy tune, and skip merrily over to the dental chair…
That’s enough sarcasm for one day! We know it’s not everyone’s favorite kind of medical appointment, but routine dental care is essential for your oral and overall health. Even people who aren’t afraid of the dentist aren’t what you’d call excited about a checkup, but they handle it better than a person whose dental anxiety is more intense.

That’s because they trusted our team to help them overcome their fears of the dental office and can now come in for their regular cleanings feeling comfortable and confident. Are you ready to join them in making anxiety-ridden dental appointments a thing of the past?

Then today’s blog is right where you need to be! We’re talking about how you can get beyond your fears by getting to the bottom of what’s causing your dental anxiety. We’ll wrap up the blog talking about specific ways we can help ease your mind at your next appointment!

Why Do Dental Appointments Scare You?

If you have dental anxiety, then for you, a dentist appointment is more than just an inconvenient obligation when you’d rather be doing something else. We’re talking about the kind of fear that has you coming up with all sorts of reasons to skip your appointment as the date grows closer.

It’s an intense sense of dread that not only nags at you the more you think about the dental office, but it can even affect you physically. You might feel nauseous and break out into a cold sweat while you’re at your appointment, or worse, long before you even arrive.

This is dental anxiety, and this is what keeps millions of Americans from getting the routine dental care they very much need to be healthy.

So how do you stop feeling that way? One of the best ways to overcome a fear is to understand the cause of it. Here are some typical reasons you might be terrified of going to the dentist:

You’ve Had Bad Dental Visits In The Past
You’re going to inevitably carry negative feelings with you for years into the future if all you associate with the dentist’s office are bad memories. Firsthand experience is one of the most powerful bits of evidence of how something will go. If you had a painful dental appointment as a child, you assume it’s going to be painful again as an adult.

You’ve Heard Others Talk About Their Bad Experiences
There’s a reason we still study Shakespeare centuries after they were published. It’s because stories leave a lasting impact. If someone you know has had a terrible experience at the dentist’s office, you can sometimes carry their traumatic story with you just as much as your own personal experiences.

You Fear Not Being In Control At An Appointment
Patients can sometimes feel really uncomfortable giving up a sense of control at the dentist’s office. Since you’re not the one in charge of what’s happening, how are you to know what’s happening next. This is not easy for someone to deal with if they’re used to being in control of most situations in their daily life.

Sedation Dentistry Can Help You Overcome Dental Anxiety

At Edgewood Dental Care, we put your comfort first. That’s why it’s important to us that you feel welcome and at ease when you’re in our care. If that means you need headphones, a warm blanket, and soft pillow while you receive treatment, then that’s what you shall have!

Another effective way we help patients feel more comfortable is with sedation dentistry. Depending on your needs, you can choose from:

  • Nitrous Oxide
  • Oral Sedation
  • IV Sedation

Regardless of which method you choose, you’re sure to feel as relaxed as possible so that, eventually, you’ll come to see a dental appointment as just another part of your health care routine.

Let Edgewood Dental Care help you overcome dental anxiety and get the care you need for a healthy, beautiful smile!
Call our Edgewood, KY dental office today at 859-474-7830 fill out our convenient online form to learn more about how we can help you feel more comfortable.