Are you afraid of going to the dentist?

Parklands Dental dentists in Adelaide are gentle and caring dentists.
Fear of going to the dentist or dental phobia is a real and common thing affecting millions of people . The fear can be so extreme in some cases that it prevents people from seeking and receiving the proper dental care they need. It usually stems from a bad dental experience either at a young age or at some point in their lives.
Here are a few techniques that can be used to help overcome someone with dental phobia:
Facing your fears
Sometimes it can be as easy as facing your fears to overcome your fear of going to the dentist. You don’t have to book in any major treatment, it could be as simple as ringing and booking an appointment for a simple check up to get used to the dentist and environment.
Relaxation techniques
Practicing mindfulness or simply breathing techniques can be a good way to calm your body and mind before your dental appointment. If you’re unsure how to do this you can look up basic meditation techniques online or visit a local relaxation expert.
Take a friend with you
Once you have made your dental appointment, find someone to accompany you to your visit. Just having a familiar face and someone to talk to on the way can help calm your nerves. If it’s hard to find someone to come with you during work hours, find a clinic that is open after hours or on weekends. Parklands dental is open late on a Tuesday and Thursday evening until 7.00pm and open on Saturdays.
Medication
For some people with extreme dental phobia medication may be the only solution in the short term, especially if some of the other techniques mentioned have not worked for you. This is of course something you can talk to your doctor about and have specifically prescribed to you. Alternatively, we can arrange for dental treatment to be carried out under IV sedation at Parklands Dental, where you are still conscience but unaware of what is going on.
Distractions
Popular distraction techniques for people with a mild phobia include holding hands with a friend you have brought with you, listening to music or watching DVDs that our team at Parklands Dental can provide in the chair or holding a stress ball to keep your mind off what is happening during your appointment.
Finding the right dentist
Every dentist has a different manner and works in a different way. So it could be as simple as finding one that best suits your needs and comfort. Dr Aashul Patel and Dr Sophie Andrews and our therapist Claire are all trained to deal with anxious patients. They are understand that coming to the dentist can be a daunting experience. They are both gentle and will take their time to explain dental procedures or simply have a chat about other things. Sometimes just making your dentist aware of your fears can make their job easier and they can therefore tailor the way they go about treatment that will benefit you and help you overcome your dental phobia.