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Overcome Your Fear of the Dentist: A Guide to Taking Control of Your Oral Health

Posts Tagged ‘ fear ’



Overcome Your Fear of the Dentist: A Guide to Taking Control of Your Oral Health

Posted on: April 26th, 2023 by admin

Have you ever felt overwhelmed and anxious at the mere thought of having to visit a dentist? You’re not alone! Fear of the dentist is very common, with statistics showing that up to 15% of Americans avoid seeing a dentist because of it. But it doesn’t have to be like this – taking control of your oral health, and overcoming your fear of the dentist can be an empowering experience. Here’s your guide on how to do just that!

1. Understand your fear

Before you can start taking steps to overcome your fear of the dentist, it is important to understand why you feel the way you do. Are there certain experiences that have caused this fear? What kind of thoughts and feelings come up when thinking about going to a dental appointment? Identifying these triggers will help you in taking the right steps towards addressing them.

2. Find a supportive dentist

Visiting a dental practice that specializes in helping those with dental anxiety or phobia can make a huge difference in how comfortable you feel. Do research and look for practices with staff who are patient, understanding, and willing to offer sedation options if necessary. This can also be an opportunity for you to ask questions and build trust with your dentist.

3. Create a plan

Write out a step-by-step plan of what you need to do in order to get through your appointment. This can include things like scheduling an appointment at a certain time, taking deep breaths throughout the procedure, or bringing something to help distract yourself during the visit. Having a plan ready will help reduce some of the stress and anxiety leading up to your dental appointment.

4. Take it slow

Don’t be too hard on yourself if certain steps don’t work right away – it may take multiple appointments before you start feeling comfortable enough for more complex procedures. Allow yourself to slowly progress at your own pace, and remember that even small steps towards taking control of your oral health are still important.

5. Reward yourself

When it comes to facing our fears, positive reinforcement can be a great motivator! After each successful dental visit, reward yourself with something that makes you feel good – whether it’s treating yourself to your favorite food or buying a special gift for yourself.

By following these steps, you can take control of your oral health and make the dentist office a place where you can receive the care you need without feeling anxious or overwhelmed. With time and effort, you too can overcome your fear of the dentist and start looking forward to appointments instead! Good luck!

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Here’s why you don’t need to fear the dentist

Posted on: September 28th, 2022 by admin

Fear of the dentist is such a common fear it’s practically a movie cliché at this point. It has featured in sitcoms (Seinfeld’s hilarious dentist, Tim Whatley was played by Breaking Bad’s Bryan Cranston, and he was a very scary dentist) and in movies. There have been entire books written on the subject, and the reason is simple: It’s a fear that many people share.

Thankfully, it doesn’t have to be that way. It’s very possible to overcome your fear of visiting the dentist near Manahawkin – and that’s a good thing, because overcoming that fear will let you get the care you need in order to maintain good oral health!

 

Here’s how to get over your fear of the dentist:

  1. Understand That Your Fears Are Normal

    – You’re not alone in being frightened of going to the dentist. Peter Milgrom, the director of the Dental Fears Research Clinic at the University of Washington, claims that upwards of 20 percent of U.S. citizens only go to the dentist when it is absolutely necessary to go. They avoid visits at other times due to fear. Up to 8 percent of people don’t go at ALL, with their decision also based in fear. When you understand that it’s normal to feel this way, it will be a good first step towards overcoming those fears.

  1. Get To Know Your Dentist As A Human Being

    – When you visit a dentist near Manahawkin, be sure you try to see them as a person, not as a clinical medical person in scrubs. Chat with them and get to know them. When you recognize that they are someone just like you, with interesting hobbies and families, you will help ease your anxiety.

  1. Book A Few Low-Pressure Appointments –

    Going to the dentist for a simple check-up is a great, low-stress way to get yourself comfortable with dental office visits. Even if you know you’re going to need dental work done, that doesn’t mean you have to get it done right away. Have a low key visit to your Ocean County dental office, get comfortable, , and relax. That will make future visits MUCH easier.

  1. Ask Your Dentist To Educate You

    – A good Ocean County dentist will talk to you before, during and after your appointment. Use this time to ease your fears. Have them tell you exactly what they are doing and how they’re doing it, and have them clarify why they’re doing it, too. Keep in mind, knowledge is power. When you have a better understanding of the process, you will then be more comfortable with it.

  1. Bring A Stress Reliever

    – Stress relief items like smooshy rubber balls can be helpful, so feel free to bring one with you. Your Barnegat dentist will understand! A major part of their job is to help make you comfortable. They want you to be at ease, so if it will help, bring it!

  1. Bring A Friend With You

    – Few things help us face our fears as the buddy system. If you are going in for a dental procedure that makes you a little nervous, ask a friend to come along on your appointment. They can give you the moral support that you’ll need to help get you get through your visit!

Trust us, your dentist wants you to be as relaxed as you can be, so follow this advice to ease your stress levels. Before you know it your dentist visits will feel routine!

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Posted in Dentistry / Dental | Comments Off on Here’s why you don’t need to fear the dentist

Don’t be shy, the dentist won’t bite!

Posted on: September 22nd, 2021 by admin

Fear of the dentist is such a common fear it’s practically a movie cliché at this point. It has featured in sitcoms (Seinfeld’s hilarious dentist, Tim Whatley was played by Breaking Bad’s Bryan Cranston, and he was a very scary dentist) and in movies. There have been entire books written on the subject, and the reason is simple: It’s a fear that many people share.

Thankfully, it doesn’t have to be that way. It’s very possible to overcome your fear of visiting the dentist near Manahawkin – and that’s a good thing, because overcoming that fear will let you get the care you need in order to maintain good oral health!

 

Here’s how to get over your fear of the dentist:

  1. Understand That Your Fears Are Normal

    – You’re not alone in being frightened of going to the dentist. Peter Milgrom, the director of the Dental Fears Research Clinic at the University of Washington, claims that upwards of 20 percent of U.S. citizens only go to the dentist when it is absolutely necessary to go. They avoid visits at other times due to fear. Up to 8 percent of people don’t go at ALL, with their decision also based in fear. When you understand that it’s normal to feel this way, it will be a good first step towards overcoming those fears.

  1. Get To Know Your Dentist As A Human Being

    – When you visit a dentist near Manahawkin, be sure you try to see them as a person, not as a clinical medical person in scrubs. Chat with them and get to know them. When you recognize that they are someone just like you, with interesting hobbies and families, you will help ease your anxiety.

  1. Book A Few Low-Pressure Appointments –

    Going to the dentist for a simple check-up is a great, low-stress way to get yourself comfortable with dental office visits. Even if you know you’re going to need dental work done, that doesn’t mean you have to get it done right away. Have a low key visit to your Ocean County dental office, get comfortable, , and relax. That will make future visits MUCH easier.

  1. Ask Your Dentist To Educate You

    – A good Ocean County dentist will talk to you before, during and after your appointment. Use this time to ease your fears. Have them tell you exactly what they are doing and how they’re doing it, and have them clarify why they’re doing it, too. Keep in mind, knowledge is power. When you have a better understanding of the process, you will then be more comfortable with it.

  1. Bring A Stress Reliever

    – Stress relief items like smooshy rubber balls can be helpful, so feel free to bring one with you. Your Barnegat dentist will understand! A major part of their job is to help make you comfortable. They want you to be at ease, so if it will help, bring it!

  1. Bring A Friend With You

    – Few things help us face our fears as the buddy system. If you are going in for a dental procedure that makes you a little nervous, ask a friend to come along on your appointment. They can give you the moral support that you’ll need to help get you get through your visit!

Trust us, your dentist wants you to be as relaxed as you can be, so follow this advice to ease your stress levels. Before you know it your dentist visits will feel routine!

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Posted in Dentistry / Dental | Comments Off on Don’t be shy, the dentist won’t bite!

Getting Over Your Fear of the Dentist is Easy!

Posted on: September 16th, 2020 by admin

Fear of the dentist is such a common fear it’s practically a movie cliché at this point. It has featured in sitcoms (Seinfeld’s hilarious dentist, Tim Whatley was played by Breaking Bad’s Bryan Cranston, and he was a very scary dentist) and in movies. There have been entire books written on the subject, and the reason is simple: It’s a fear that many people share.

Thankfully, it doesn’t have to be that way. It’s very possible to overcome your fear of visiting the dentist near Manahawkin – and that’s a good thing, because overcoming that fear will let you get the care you need in order to maintain good oral health!

air-conditioning-repair

Here’s how to get over your fear of the dentist:

  1. Understand That Your Fears Are Normal

    – You’re not alone in being frightened of going to the dentist. Peter Milgrom, the director of the Dental Fears Research Clinic at the University of Washington, claims that upwards of 20 percent of U.S. citizens only go to the dentist when it is absolutely necessary to go. They avoid visits at other times due to fear. Up to 8 percent of people don’t go at ALL, with their decision also based in fear. When you understand that it’s normal to feel this way, it will be a good first step towards overcoming those fears.

  1. Get To Know Your Dentist As A Human Being

    – When you visit a dentist near Manahawkin, be sure you try to see them as a person, not as a clinical medical person in scrubs. Chat with them and get to know them. When you recognize that they are someone just like you, with interesting hobbies and families, you will help ease your anxiety.

  1. Book A Few Low-Pressure Appointments –

    Going to the dentist for a simple check-up is a great, low-stress way to get yourself comfortable with dental office visits. Even if you know you’re going to need dental work done, that doesn’t mean you have to get it done right away. Have a low key visit to your Ocean County dental office, get comfortable, , and relax. That will make future visits MUCH easier.

  1. Ask Your Dentist To Educate You

    – A good Ocean County dentist will talk to you before, during and after your appointment. Use this time to ease your fears. Have them tell you exactly what they are doing and how they’re doing it, and have them clarify why they’re doing it, too. Keep in mind, knowledge is power. When you have a better understanding of the process, you will then be more comfortable with it.

  1. Bring A Stress Reliever

    – Stress relief items like smooshy rubber balls can be helpful, so feel free to bring one with you. Your Barnegat dentist will understand! A major part of their job is to help make you comfortable. They want you to be at ease, so if it will help, bring it!

  1. Bring A Friend With You

    – Few things help us face our fears as the buddy system. If you are going in for a dental procedure that makes you a little nervous, ask a friend to come along on your appointment. They can give you the moral support that you’ll need to help get you get through your visit!

Trust us, your dentist wants you to be as relaxed as you can be, so follow this advice to ease your stress levels. Before you know it your dentist visits will feel routine!

Tags: , , , , , ,
Posted in Dentistry / Dental | Comments Off on Getting Over Your Fear of the Dentist is Easy!

Fear of the Dentist: Some Simple Ways to Conquer Your Fear

Posted on: July 24th, 2019 by admin

A lot of you are scared of going to your dental office near Manahawkin. We understand. We’re not insulted. That is actually a common feeling that is not all that unusual to hear about.

Are you among those people who are afraid to go to the dentist? If so, you probably share one of these common reasons expressed by others who have the same fears:

  • You’re afraid of pain
  • You’re afraid of getting bad news
  • You have memories of a bad experience
  • You are afraid of being scolded for not taking care of your teeth
  • You have general anxiety

These are the most common reasons mentioned by those who are afraid of going to the dentist near Manahawkin. The good news is, though these reasons may be commonplace, they are relatively easy to overcome. Consider these facts:

Source: https://www.pexels.com/photo/men-s-gray-crew-neck-shirt-160914/

 

You’re Afraid of Pain

The fact of the matter is, these days your visit your dentist is almost certain to be pain free. Modern dental technology and the techniques they use have improved by leaps and bounds when compared to the old days. Dental office procedures these days are now easier and more painless than ever before.

You’re afraid to Get Bad News

Many people avoid going to the dentist because they don’t want to learn that they might need to get major work done. The reality of the situation, though, is that if you have taken care of your mouth in the way you should, it’s highly unlikely you’ll get the bad news you are fearing. If you DO happen to get bad news, don’t worry. You shouldn’t see it as bad. It’s the opposite! Catching a problem early when there is still a chance to fix it is great news!

You Have Memories of a Bad Experience

You might have been scared at the dentist when you were a child, but let’s be honest, kids are scared of many things they don’t need to be scared of. You’re an adult now, older, wiser, and smarter.

You’re Afraid of Being Scolded

This one is more common than you might think. People just don’t like to be told they’ve been doing something wrong or not doing it well! Just remember that if your dentist has input for you about your oral health habits, it’s for a good reason. Your dentist is there to look out for you! Also keep in mind that what they point out to you now can mean avoiding more dental treatments in the future.

You Have General Anxiety

If you have general anxiety about doctor visits, or just anxiety in general then your fear of the dentist may be a manifestation of that. Look for ways to cope that have worked best for you in other aspects of life so that when you do visit your dentist you can tell them about your anxiety and they can help you through it. Your dentist will be happy to do everything possible to make the experience more pleasant for you.

Most of all, the important thing to remember is that your dentist is there to help you lead a healthier, happier life. That’s his or her job.

So the next time you get a knot in your stomach when you have a trip to the dentist coming up, think about the above and let that knot unravel!

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Posted in Dentistry / Dental | Comments Off on Fear of the Dentist: Some Simple Ways to Conquer Your Fear

6 Easy Ways To Overcome Your Fear of the Dentist

Posted on: September 19th, 2018 by admin No Comments

Fear of the dentist is such a common fear it’s practically a movie cliché at this point. It has featured in sitcoms (Seinfeld’s hilarious dentist, Tim Whatley was played by Breaking Bad’s Bryan Cranston, and he was a very scary dentist) and in movies. There have been entire books written on the subject, and the reason is simple: It’s a fear that many people share.

Thankfully, it doesn’t have to be that way. It’s very possible to overcome your fear of visiting the dentist near Manahawkin – and that’s a good thing, because overcoming that fear will let you get the care you need in order to maintain good oral health!

air-conditioning-repair

Here’s how to get over your fear of the dentist:

  1. Understand That Your Fears Are Normal

    – You’re not alone in being frightened of going to the dentist. Peter Milgrom, the director of the Dental Fears Research Clinic at the University of Washington, claims that upwards of 20 percent of U.S. citizens only go to the dentist when it is absolutely necessary to go. They avoid visits at other times due to fear. Up to 8 percent of people don’t go at ALL, with their decision also based in fear. When you understand that it’s normal to feel this way, it will be a good first step towards overcoming those fears.

  1. Get To Know Your Dentist As A Human Being

    – When you visit a dentist near Manahawkin, be sure you try to see them as a person, not as a clinical medical person in scrubs. Chat with them and get to know them. When you recognize that they are someone just like you, with interesting hobbies and families, you will help ease your anxiety.

  1. Book A Few Low-Pressure Appointments –

    Going to the dentist for a simple check-up is a great, low-stress way to get yourself comfortable with dental office visits. Even if you know you’re going to need dental work done, that doesn’t mean you have to get it done right away. Have a low key visit to your Ocean County dental office, get comfortable, , and relax. That will make future visits MUCH easier.

  1. Ask Your Dentist To Educate You

    – A good Ocean County dentist will talk to you before, during and after your appointment. Use this time to ease your fears. Have them tell you exactly what they are doing and how they’re doing it, and have them clarify why they’re doing it, too. Keep in mind, knowledge is power. When you have a better understanding of the process, you will then be more comfortable with it.

  1. Bring A Stress Reliever

    – Stress relief items like smooshy rubber balls can be helpful, so feel free to bring one with you. Your Barnegat dentist will understand! A major part of their job is to help make you comfortable. They want you to be at ease, so if it will help, bring it!

  1. Bring A Friend With You

    – Few things help us face our fears as the buddy system. If you are going in for a dental procedure that makes you a little nervous, ask a friend to come along on your appointment. They can give you the moral support that you’ll need to help get you get through your visit!

Trust us, your dentist wants you to be as relaxed as you can be, so follow this advice to ease your stress levels. Before you know it your dentist visits will feel routine!

Tags: , , , , ,
Posted in Dentistry / Dental | No Comments »

5 Ways to Get Over Your Fear of the Dentist

Posted on: July 25th, 2018 by admin No Comments

A lot of you are scared of going to your dental office near Manahawkin. We understand. We’re not insulted. That is actually a common feeling that is not all that unusual to hear about.

Are you among those people who are afraid to go to the dentist? If so, you probably share one of these common reasons expressed by others who have the same fears:

  • You’re afraid of pain
  • You’re afraid of getting bad news
  • You have memories of a bad experience
  • You are afraid of being scolded for not taking care of your teeth
  • You have general anxiety

These are the most common reasons mentioned by those who are afraid of going to the dentist near Manahawkin. The good news is, though these reasons may be commonplace, they are relatively easy to overcome. Consider these facts:

pexels-photo-267967

You’re Afraid of Pain – The fact of the matter is, these days your visit your dentist is almost certain to be pain free. Modern dental technology and the techniques they use have improved by leaps and bounds when compared to the old days. Dental office procedures these days are now easier and more painless than ever before.

You’re afraid to Get Bad News – Many people avoid going to the dentist because they don’t want to learn that they might need to get major work done. The reality of the situation, though, is that if you have taken care of your mouth in the way you should, it’s highly unlikely you’ll get the bad news you are fearing. If you DO happen to get bad news, don’t worry. You shouldn’t see it as bad. It’s the opposite! Catching a problem early when there is still a chance to fix it is great news!

You Have Memories of a Bad Experience – You might have been scared at the dentist when you were a child, but let’s be honest, kids are scared of many things they don’t need to be scared of. You’re an adult now, older, wiser, and smarter.

You’re Afraid of Being Scolded – This one is more common than you might think. People just don’t like to be told they’ve been doing something wrong or not doing it well! Just remember that if your dentist has input for you about your oral health habits, it’s for a good reason. Your dentist is there to look out for you! Also keep in mind that what they point out to you now can mean avoiding more dental treatments in the future.

You Have General Anxiety – If you have general anxiety about doctor visits, or just anxiety in general then your fear of the dentist may be a manifestation of that. Look for ways to cope that have worked best for you in other aspects of life so that when you do visit your dentist you can tell them about your anxiety and they can help you through it. Your dentist will be happy to do everything possible to make the experience more pleasant for you.

Most of all, the important thing to remember is that your dentist is there to help you lead a healthier, happier life. That’s his or her job.

So the next time you get a knot in your stomach when you have a trip to the dentist coming up, think about the above and let that knot unravel!

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Posted in Dentistry / Dental | No Comments »