How To Overcome Dental Phobia

Sweaty Palms. Increased Heartbeat. The urge to flee. An estimated 15% of dental patients experience some level of dental anxiety when it’s time for a dental checkup. This anxiety can be a result of a number of factors but no matter the cause, it keeps patients from receiving the dental care that they need. If your child is in this club of people who fear the dentist, we can offer some tips to help make your next trip to Just For Kids Dentistry & Orthodontics a little less overwhelming.

Let’s take a look at some of the common causes of dental anxiety:

Feeling Helpless or Out of Control: Being confined to a chair and unable to talk or move can feel very claustrophobic for some dental patients. If your child feels this way during your visit, let the hygienist know beforehand and they can make plans to accommodate your child if they feel the need to get up, take a break and walk around during the exam.

Fear of Pain: Most dental practices offer a variety of pain management options. Anesthesia is administered for any in depth dental procedures. If fear of needles is also a concern, Laughing gas can relax your child before administration of the pain medicine. Sedation dentistry is common for those with more severe dental anxiety and fear of pain.

Bad Past Experiences: Unfortunately you can’t do anything to change the past. Whether it was a cleaning that was too rough or a Las Vegas dentist that didn’t understand your child’s needs, your child may have had a negative dental experience that has contributed to their current anxiety. The good news is that if you take a chance on a new pediatric dentist, you could have a positive beneficial experience that can help erase the memory and make them less apprehensive about moving forward with dental care in the future.

Whatever the cause of your child’s dental anxiety, know that there are ways to overcome it. We would love to help you and your family have a positive experience at the dentists. Whether your child needs an in depth procedure like a root canal or emergency dental care or just a regular general dentistry cleaning and exam, we want to give you a reason to be excited about visiting the dentist. Call Just For Kids Dentistry & Orthodontics in Las Vegas today!