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Tips for Anxious Dental Patients

Mar 12 • 1 minute read

Dental phobias and anxiety are relatively common, especially when patients or their families have experienced poor care. At Downtown Periodontics & Implant Dentistry, we strive to provide patients with comprehensive care catered to their individual comfort levels.

In order to enhance the dental experience of our patients and others, we have created this guide to explain several tips for alleviating dental anxiety.

Focus on Relaxation and Breathing

One of the best ways to reduce feelings of stress and anxiety is to focus on your breathing throughout your appointment. Slow and steady breathing helps to reduce your heart rate, ensuring that any feelings of anxiety are greatly reduced. Focusing on breathing also helps to keep patients’ minds off of their appointment. Other relaxation or distraction strategies such as listening to music can also help to alleviate some of the anxiety that a patient may feel.

Speak with Your Doctor

For patients with more significant anxiety, explaining their fears to the dentist prior to their appointment can also help to enhance comfort. As a healthcare professional, your dentist wants you to be comfortable and confident in the care you receive. 

Speaking with a dentist can help to contextualize the care you receive and to alleviate some of the fears associated with third-party anxiety that comes from familial influence and the experience of friends. Communicating your feelings with your dentist can also help them to make certain amenities available in order to enhance your comfort during appointments at their office.

Research Sedation Options

Mild to moderate sedation options can also be made available for patients whose anxiety cannot be overcome through conversation or relaxation exercises. Most dental professionals are able and willing to provide patients with non-invasive options such as nitrous oxide or to prescribe oral conscious sedation for those who experience anxiety prior to their appointment.

Keep Your Smile Healthy

At Downtown Periodontics & Implant Dentistry, we care about the oral health, as well as the mental well-being of our patients. We offer comfort-enhancing periodontal and implant-based dentistry in Minneapolis to make patients more relaxed with regular, necessary care. Contact our office today to schedule your appointment. 

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